U.S. Department
of Justice
Microsoft Tunney Act Comment : The Honorable John V. Tunney, Former U.S. Senator
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JOHN V. TUNNEY, being first duly sworn upon his oath, deposes and says: 1. The following facts are known to me of my own personal knowledge and, if called as a witness I could and would competently testify thereto. 2. From 1971 to 1977, I represented the State of California as a United States senator in Congress, 3. While serving as a member of the Judiciary Committee of the United States Senate during the 93rd Congress, I authored that certain bill described below, and acted as the Floor Manager of the legislation during its consideration by the full Senate. That legislation was passed by Congress and signed into law by the President of the United States. That portion of the law to which I refer below is codified as Section 2(g) of the Antitrust and Penalty Act, 15 U.S.C. $16(g), and is a subsection of the law now commonly referred to as the "Tunney Act." This legislation was signed into law December 21,1974. 4. I authored the following language, which was included in the final version of the legislation:
5. Recently, I was asked to review the Tunney Act and certain public documents on file in the case of the United States vs. Microsoft Corporation, Civil Action NO. 98-1232 (CKK), in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Among the documents I reviewed was one filed by Microsoft Corporation entitled, "Defendant Microsoft Corporation's Description of Written or Oral Communications Concerning The Revised Proposed Final Judgment and Certification of Compliance Under 15 U.S.C. Sec. 16(g)," purportedly to comply with the provision set forth in paragraph 4, above. 6. With respect to this provision of the Antitrust Procedures and Penalties Act, it is clear that Congress intended that there show be full disclosure of all communications by a defendant or on behalf defendant with any officer or employee of the United States, except for communications made by counsel of record alone with the Attorney General or the employees of the Department of Justice. It is equally clear that by "government official," Congress meant "members of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of government". Congress specifically intended to cover communications by officers of a defendant corporation, lawyers of such corporation, lobbyists of such corporation, or anyone else acting on behalf of such corporate defendant, If I had not been satisfied this was the plain meaning of the statue, I, as the principal author of the legislation, would not have pressed the legislation through to final passage. I am satisfied that the clear language of the statute ensures disclosures of the type described in this paragraph, The legislative history and intent of its author buttress these conclusions. 7. In my opinion, it is essential that all discussions between the defendant corporation and the government (with the specific exception noted in paragraph 6, above) in an antitrust case that might have led to a proposal settlement decree be disclosed. If a 8. Contrary to some press reports, the Tunney Act wag not intended in any way to prevent the Department of Justice from entering into settlements in antitrust suits, especially before trial where litigation risk is generally present. The Act in fact that such settlements were reached on the merits. 9. The legislative history and plain language make clear that Congress intended that a judge make an independent assessment of whether any such settlement are in the public interest, precisely because the policy objective was to ensure that lobbying contacts did not influence the law enforce function of the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice. I remain convinced that the policy objective was correct. 10. The language of the Act was clearly drawn and was intended to be inclusive and not exclusive. In my opinion, the filing of "Written or Oral Communications" by Microsoft Corporation, referred to in paragraph, 5, above, is inadequate to satisfy the / / / FURTHER, AFFIANT SAYETH NAUGHT. [signature of John V. Tunney] SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me [signature of Eleanor McKenna] ELEANOR McKENNA |