United StatesTo repeal certain provisions relating to notification to Senate offices regarding legal process on disclosure of Senate data, and for other purposes.
What it does
This bill repeals the authority for a Senator to bring a civil action against the federal government if an internet service provider or the Senate Sergeant at Arms (SAA) accessed or disclosed, or accesses or discloses, data from the Senator's office to provide to a federal agency without following prescribed notice requirements. The authority applies to a qualifying instance occurring on or after January 1, 2022.
More detail
The authority for the civil action was enacted in H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026, which was signed by the President on November 12, 2026. The relevant provision requires written notice from the internet service provider or the SAA to the Senate office upon receipt of any legal process seeking access or disclosure of covered data. A Senator affected by a federal violation of the provision may sue the federal government for the greater of $500,000 per violation or the actual damages, plus attorney's fees and related costs.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Nov 20Received in the Senate.Latest
- Vote recorded On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass. Result: Passed.House
- Nov 19Mr. Steil moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- Nov 19Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4790-4794)
- Nov 19DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6019.
- Nov 19At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- Nov 19Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4808)
- Nov 19Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 426 - 0 (Roll no. 301). (text: CR H4790)Passed House
- Nov 19Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Nov 12Introduced in House
- Nov 12Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4597)
- Nov 12Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.Introduced
- Nov 20Received in the Senate.Latest