Judiciary

Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Jeff Sessions (R-AL), both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced legislation last Thursday that would require a federal conviction to stand in the event of the death of a defendant and would allow victims to seek restitution from the defendant’s estate.

Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Jeff Sessions (R-AL), both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced legislation Thursday that would require a federal conviction to stand in the event of the death of a defendant and would allow victims to seek restitution from the defendant’s estate.

The House Judiciary Committee last Wednesday approved by voice vote a bill that would prohibit states from assessing taxes on interstate natural gas pipelines at a higher rate than those levied on in-state industrial and commercial facilities.

The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday approved by voice vote a bill that would prohibit states from assessing taxes on interstate natural gas pipelines at a higher rate than those levied on in-state industrial and commercial facilities.

Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Friday he plans to hold hearings to determine if the latest run-up in natural gas prices is the “product of collusive pricing or other unlawful activity.”

Rep. John Conyers of Michigan, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, has called on U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft to appoint a special counsel to investigate allegations that Westar Energy Inc. made contributions to political groups linked with four prominent House Republicans last year in return for legislative favors, as well as donations to Ashcroft.

Rep. John Conyers of Michigan, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, has called on U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft to appoint a special counsel to investigate allegations that Westar Energy Inc. made contributions to political groups linked with four prominent House Republicans last year in return for legislative favors, as well as donations to Ashcroft.

The refusal of the Democrat-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee to approve the nomination of Judge Charles Pickering to the federal bench is expected to tie up nominations in the upper chamber for the foreseeable future, including the nomination of Joseph T. Kelliher to fill the vacancy on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The refusal of the Democrat-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee to approve the nomination of Judge Charles Pickering to the federal bench last week is expected to tie up future nominations in the upper chamber for the foreseeable future, including the nomination of Joseph T. Kelliher to fill the vacancy on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.