118th Congress · HOUSE BILLBILL

H.R. 4250PRESS Act

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.

Science, technology, communications
Introduced Jun 21, 2023
Last action Jan 22, 2024
Pipeline · Bill → Law
Step 1
Introduced
Jun 21, 2023
Step 2
Referred
Jun 21, 2023
Judiciary · the Judiciary
Step 3
Committee
Jul 19, 2023
Reported out
Step 4
House floor
Step 5
Senate
Jan 22, 2024
Step 6
Resolve Changes
Step 7
Signed
SummaryCRS Summary

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 r...

Provisions · 6 sectionsEngrossed in House
Timeline · 14 actions
Jan 22, 2024
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Jan 18, 2024
Considered as unfinished business.
Jan 18, 2024
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
Jan 18, 2024
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jan 16, 2024
Mr. Kiley moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Jan 16, 2024
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Jan 16, 2024
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4250.
Jan 16, 2024
At 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 The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
Dec 5, 2023
Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 118-299.
Dec 5, 2023
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 242.
Jul 19, 2023
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 0.
Jul 19, 2023
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jun 21, 2023
Introduced in House
Jun 21, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.