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C-SPAN Radio’s Historic Supreme Court Oral Arguments: Ronald Hutchinson v. William Proxmire (1979)

Freedom of Speech and Congressional Immunity
Supreme Court

Supreme Court

Washington, DC
Saturday, January 1, 2011

In 1975, Wisconsin Democratic Senator William Proxmire introduced what he called the “golden fleece award of the month.” It was given to governmental agencies that sponsored programs and research the Senator thought to be a waste of tax dollars. On the floor of the Senate, in conferences with his staff, and in a newsletter sent to over 100,000 of his constituents, Senator Proxmire focused on the work of behavioral scientist Ronald Hutchinson, labeling his research as “nonsense.” Mr. Hutchinson sued for libel, arguing that Senator Proxmire’s statements defamed his character and caused him financial loss.

Updated: Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 2:43pm (ET)

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