Hutchinson v. Proxmire

Petitioner

Ronald Hutchinson

Respondent

Senator William Proxmire

Petitioner's Claim

That negative statements against Hutchinson issued by Senator Proxmire in a press release, a newsletter, and a television interview are not protected under the Speech or Debate Clause.

Chief Lawyer for Petitioner

Michael E. Cavanaugh

Chief Lawyer for Respondent

Alan Raywid

Justices for the Court

Harry A. Blackmun, Warren E. Burger (writing for the Court), William O. Douglas, Thurgood Marshall, Lewis F. Powell, Jr., William H. Rehnquist, Potter Stewart, Byron R. White

Justices Dissenting

William J. Brennan, Jr.

Place

Washington, D.C.

Date of Decision

26 June 1979

Decision

That the privileges of the Speech or Debate Clause do not extend to press releases, newsletters, and other communications not "essential to the deliberations of the Senate."

Related Cases

• Long v. Ansell, 293 U.S. 76 (1934).
• New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254 (1964).
• United States v. Brewster, 408 U.S. 501 (1972).
• Gravel v. United States, 408 U.S. 606 (1972).
• Doe v. McMillan, 412 U.S. 306 (1973).

Sources

Biskupic, Joan and Witt, Elder. Guide to the U.S. Supreme Court. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, 1997.

Further Readings

• Chandler, Ralph C. The Constitutional Law Dictionary. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-Clio, Inc., 1987.
• Ducat, Craig R. and Harold W. Chase. Constitutional Interpretation. St. Paul, MN: West Publishing Company, 1988.
• Encyclopedia of the American Constitution. New York, NY: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1986.