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S 898 99th Congress Senate

A bill to clarify the standards under which attorneys fees may be awarded prevailing defendants under 42 U.S.C. 1988.

Introduced: April 4, 1985 Introduced by: Grassley, Chuck Republican · Iowa See on congress.gov
Law Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCourts and Civil ProcedureLawyers and legal servicesLegal feesLegal services
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This bill died when the 99th Congress ended
It never became law before the 99th Congress (1985–1986) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 21, 1985
Committee on Judiciary requested executive comment from Justice Department, Administrative Office of the United States Courts.
May 21, 1985
Referred to Subcommittee on Constitution.
Apr 4, 1985
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Apr 4, 1985
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action May 21, 1985

Committee on Judiciary requested executive comment from Justice Department, Administrative Office of the United States Courts.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Amends the Civil Rights Attorney's Fees Awards Act of 1976 to allow prevailing defendants reasonable attorneys' fees which they have actually paid or are actually liable for only upon a finding that the plaintiff brought the action in bad faith or that the action was frivolous.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 898: A bill to clarify the standards under which attorneys fees may be awarded prevailing defendants under 42 U.S.C. 1988.. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-S-898/
MLA
"S. 898: A bill to clarify the standards under which attorneys fees may be awarded prevailing defendants under 42 U.S.C. 1988.." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-S-898/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 898, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-S-898/.
Markdown link
[S. 898: A bill to clarify the standards under which attorneys fees may be awarded prevailing defendants under 42 U.S.C. 1988.](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-S-898/)
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