Hutchinson v. Proxmire 443 U.S. 111 (1979)

• Author: Theodore Eisenberg
• Pages: 1323-1324

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This decision reaffirmed a line first drawn in GRAVEL V. UNITED STATES (1972) between official and unofficial communications

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by members of Congress. Senator William Proxmire gave one Dr. Hutchinson a "Golden Fleece" award for what Proxmire considered to be wasteful government-sponsored research conducted by Dr. Hutchinson. Proxmire publicized the award through a press release and a newsletter to constituents. Under the Supreme Court's interpretation of the SPEECH OR DEBATE CLAUSE, members of Congress are absolutely immune from suit only for legislative acts. In Hutchinson, the Court found that Proxmire's communications were not "essential to the deliberations of the Senate" and, therefore, were not legislative acts...