Hutchinson v. Proxmire

We granted certiorari, 439 U. S. 1066 (1979), to resolve three issues: (1) Whether a Member of Congress is protected by the Speech or Debate Clause of the Constitution, Art. I, § 6, against suits for allegedly defamatory statements made by the Member in press releases and newsletters; (2) whether petitioner Hutchinson is either a “public figure” or a “public official,” thereby making applicable the “actual malice” standard of New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 376 U. S. 254 (1964) ; and (3) whether respondents were entitled to summary judgment.

*114Ronald Hutchinson, a research behavioral scientist,…