Ask AI
Bill117th CongressFiled Jul 1, 2021Science, Technology, Communications
H.R. 4330

PRESS Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

Filed
Comm.
Floor
Both
Law

What it doesSummary passed house (Sep 19, 2022)

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.

What just happenedSep 20, 2022

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8](D-MD)Sponsor
7 cosponsors7 D
Read on Congress.gov
7cosponsors2committees15actions1related bills6subjects
  1. Sep 20, 2022IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  2. Sep 19, 2022FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. Sep 19, 2022FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7927-7928)

  4. Sep 19, 2022Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

  5. Sep 19, 2022FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4330.

  6. Sep 19, 2022FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7927-7930)

  7. Sep 19, 2022FloorH30300

    Ms. Jackson Lee moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  8. Jun 7, 2022CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 268.

  9. Jun 7, 2022CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 117-354.

    Judiciary Committee
  10. Jun 7, 2022Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 117-354.

    Judiciary Committee
  11. Apr 6, 2022Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Judiciary Committee
  12. Apr 6, 2022Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Judiciary Committee
  13. Jul 1, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  14. Jul 1, 2021IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  15. Jul 1, 2021IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed HouseSep 19, 202253

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.

Reported to HouseJun 7, 20227

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.

Introduced in HouseJul 1, 2021

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 relates to a business transaction between the third party and a journalist.

PRESS Act — Informed