A joint resolution ensuring that the compensation and other emoluments attached to the office of Secretary of State are those which were in effect on January 1, 2007.
PL 110-455 (S.J.Res.46), enacted 12/19/2008

122 STAT. 5036 
PUBLIC LAW 110–455—DEC. 19, 2008 
Public Law 110–455 
110th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Ensuring that the compensation and other emoluments attached to the office of 
Secretary of State are those which were in effect on January 1, 2007. 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. COMPENSATION AND OTHER EMOLUMENTS ATTACHED 
TO THE OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The compensation and other emoluments 
attached to the office of Secretary of State shall be those in effect 
January 1, 2007, notwithstanding any increase in such compensa-
tion or emoluments after that date under any provision of law, 
or provision which has the force and effect of law, that is enacted 
or becomes effective during the period beginning at noon of January 
3, 2007, and ending at noon of January 3, 2013. 
(b) CIVIL ACTION AND APPEAL.— 
(1) JURISDICTION.—Any person aggrieved by an action of 
the Secretary of State may bring a civil action in the United 
States District Court for the District of Columbia to contest 
the constitutionality of the appointment and continuance in 
office of the Secretary of State on the ground that such appoint-
ment and continuance in office is in violation of article I, 
section 6, clause 2, of the Constitution. The United States 
District Court for the District of Columbia shall have exclusive 
jurisdiction over such a civil action, without regard to the 
sum or value of the matter in controversy. 
(2) THREE JUDGE PANEL.—Any claim challenging the con-
stitutionality of the appointment and continuance in office of 
the Secretary of State on the ground that such appointment 
and continuance in office is in violation of article I, section 
6, clause 2, of the Constitution, in an action brought under 
paragraph (1) shall be heard and determined by a panel of 
three judges in accordance with section 2284 of title 28, United 
States Code. It shall be the duty of the district court to advance 
on the docket and to expedite the disposition of any matter 
brought under this subsection. 
(3) APPEAL.— 
(A) DIRECT APPEAL TO SUPREME COURT.—An appeal 
may be taken directly to the Supreme Court of the United 
States from any interlocutory or final judgment, decree, 
or order upon the validity of the appointment and continu-
ance in office of the Secretary of State under article I, 
section 6, clause 2, of the Constitution, entered in any 
action brought under this subsection. Any such appeal 
Deadline. 
5 USC 5312 note. 
Dec. 19, 2008 
[S.J. Res. 46] 
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122 STAT. 5037 
PUBLIC LAW 110–455—DEC. 19, 2008 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 46: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 154 (2008): 
Dec. 10, considered and passed Senate and House. 
shall be taken by a notice of appeal filed within 20 days 
after such judgment, decree, or order is entered. 
(B) JURISDICTION.—The Supreme Court shall, if it has 
not previously ruled on the question presented by an appeal 
taken under subparagraph (A), accept jurisdiction over the 
appeal, advance the appeal on the docket, and expedite 
the appeal. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This joint resolution shall take effect 
at 12:00 p.m. on January 20, 2009. 
Approved December 19, 2008. 
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