Mike Johanns S.3593 FULL TEXT and the DeMint-Vitter Amendment

Senator Mike Johanns was one of only two Republicans to vote against the DeMint-Vitter Amendment SA 4464, George Voinovich being the other.

The senator pleads guilty with an explanation that follows;

Johanns Bill Aims To Protect Cities, States From Costly Lawsuits Over Local Immigration Laws.

Sen. Mike Johanns today introduced a bill that would make the federal government think twice before it sues states and cities over local immigration laws. The bill would require the federal government to reimburse a city, state, or municipality for any attorney fees or other court costs accrued if the Justice Department sues and the local law is upheld.

"My bill levels the playing field for states and communities that might otherwise be crushed financially by federal litigation," Johanns said. "The federal immigration lawsuit is nothing more than an attempt by the Justice Department to use its vast resources to overwhelm local governments with lawyers and litigation. The bottom line is that we're in this situation because the federal government has neglected its responsibility to secure the border."

Bill Summary & Status 111th Congress (2009 - 2010) S.3593

S.3593 - Title: A bill to require the Federal Government to pay the costs incurred by a State or local government in defending a State or local immigration law that survives a constitutional challenge by the Federal Government in Federal court.
Sponsor: Sen Johanns, Mike [NE] (introduced 7/15/2010) Cosponsors (None)

Related Bills: H.R.5774

Latest Major Action: 7/15/2010 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Text of Legislation

S.3593 -- To require the Federal Government to pay the costs incurred by a State or local government in defending a State or local immigration law that survives a constitutional challenge by... (Introduced in Senate - IS)

S 3593 IS

111th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 3593

To require the Federal Government to pay the costs incurred by a State or local government in defending a State or local immigration law that survives a constitutional challenge by the Federal Government in Federal court.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

July 15, 2010

Mr. JOHANNS introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To require the Federal Government to pay the costs incurred by a State or local government in defending a State or local immigration law that survives a constitutional challenge by the Federal Government in Federal court.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. PAYMENT OF ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COURT COSTS RELATED TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CHALLENGE OF STATE IMMIGRATION LAW.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all attorneys' fees and associated court costs incurred by a State or unit of local government in the course of defending a constitutional challenge to a State law or a municipal ordinance regarding immigration that is brought by the Federal Government in any Federal court shall be paid by the Federal Government if the court upholds, in whole or in part, the challenged State law or municipal ordinance.