Southern Christian Leadership Conference v. Kelley

In this case, we review the District Court’s denial of a United States Senator’s motion to intervene under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 24(a)(2). Because of the sequence of events in Congress and in the courts, the case raises questions of timeliness and mootness. Because the party seeking intervention is a member of Congress, the case also raises questions of congressional standing. We affirm denial of the motion for intervention because the movant lacks a protectable interest sufficient to confer standing.

The appellant, Senator Jesse Helms, seeks intervention as of right in the cases of…