To maintain the free flow of information to the public by establishing appropriate limits on the federally compelled disclosure of information obtained as part of engaging in journalism, and for other purposes.
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.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 117-354.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 117-354.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 268.
Ms. Jackson Lee moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7927-7930)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4330.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
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On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7927-7928)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.