Skip to main content
Federal & State Lawfederalstatelaw.com
Home/Federal/Bills (Live)
HOUSE 4250118th CongressReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

PRESS Act

Last Action
1/22/2024

Actions

  • 2024-01-22Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • 2024-01-18Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  • 2024-01-18On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: 1/16/2024 CR H143)
  • 2024-01-18Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: 1/16/2024 CR H143)
  • 2024-01-18Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H229)
  • 2024-01-16At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Kiley objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
  • 2024-01-16DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4250.
  • 2024-01-16Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H143-145)
  • 2024-01-16Mr. Kiley moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  • 2023-12-05Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 242.
  • 2023-12-05Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 118-299.
  • 2023-12-05Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 118-299.
  • 2023-07-19Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  • 2023-07-19Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 0.
  • 2023-06-21Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Showing 15 of 17 actions. Full history on Congress.gov.

CRS Summary

As of 2023-12-05 (07)

Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act or the PRESS Act

This bill prohibits the federal government from compelling journalists and providers of telecommunications services (e.g., phone and internet companies) to disclose certain protected information, except in limited circumstances such as to prevent terrorism or imminent violence.

Specifically, the bill protects from disclosure any information identifying a source, as well as any records, contents of a communication, documents, or information obtained or created by journalists in the course of their work.

Further, the bill protects specified third parties, such as telecommunications carriers or social media companies, from being compelled to provide testimony or any document consisting of a record, information, or other communication that is stored by the third party on behalf of a journalist.

Cosponsors (19)

  • Jamie Raskin (D-MD)
  • DARRELL ISSA (R-CA)
  • Ted Lieu (D-CA)
  • Barry Moore (R-AL)
  • ELEANOR NORTON (D-DC)
  • Russell Fry (R-SC)
  • BARBARA LEE (D-CA)
  • Kelly Armstrong (R-ND)
  • Rashida Tlaib (D-MI)
  • Harriet Hageman (R-WY)
  • Daniel Kildee (D-MI)
  • Ben Cline (R-VA)
  • SHEILA JACKSON LEE (D-TX)
  • Ashley Hinson (R-IA)
  • ZOE LOFGREN (D-CA)
  • David Valadao (R-CA)
  • Henry Johnson (D-GA)
  • Jay Obernolte (R-CA)
  • GRACE NAPOLITANO (D-CA)

Subjects

  • Computers and information technology
  • Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
  • Evidence and witnesses
  • Internet, web applications, social media
  • News media and reporting
  • Telephone and wireless communication
Read on Congress.gov

Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.