National Security Letters Reform Act of 2007

To establish reasonable procedural protections for the use of national security letters, and for other purposes.

7/26/2007--Introduced.
National Security Letters Reform Act of 2007 - Prohibits a national security letter (letter) (a request for information sought by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in connection with a criminal investigation) from being issued unless the issuing official certifies specific facts providing reason to believe that the information or records sought pertain to a foreign power or agent thereof. Prohibits a letter from being issued in connection with an investigation of a U.S. person solely upon the basis of activities protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution. Prohibits:
(1) a letter from containing unreasonable requirements or requiring privileged matter; or
(2) disclosing to a person that the FBI has sought or obtained access to information under a letter for 30 days after receipt of the FBI's request for such information. Authorizes judicial review for the modification or revocation of a letter. Provides limited uses of information acquired through a letter. Allows persons against whom evidence obtained from a letter is to be used to file a motion to suppress. Provides a civil cause of action for the misuse of letters. Requires the authority to issue letters to revert, five years after the enactment of this Act, to that provided by law on October 25, 2001. Requires the Attorney General to:
(1) undertake minimization and destruction procedures with respect to information acquired through letters; and
(2) report semiannually on the number and use of letters. Requires the disposal of wrongly acquired information. Revises requirements relating to claims of emergency in connection with certain letters.

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Sponsor

• Rep. Jerrold Nadler [D, NY-8]
• and 29 Co-Sponsors
  • Rep. Frederick Boucher [D, VA-9]
  • Rep. Lois Capps [D, CA-23]
  • Rep. Steve Cohen [D, TN-9]
  • Rep. John Conyers [D, MI-14]
  • Rep. Danny Davis [D, IL-7]
  • Rep. Artur Davis [D, AL-7]
  • Rep. Peter DeFazio [D, OR-4]
  • Rep. Diana DeGette [D, CO-1]
  • Rep. William Delahunt [D, MA-10]
  • Rep. Keith Ellison [D, MN-5]
  • Rep. Sam Farr [D, CA-17]
  • Rep. Jeff Flake [R, AZ-6]
  • Rep. Al Green [D, TX-9]
  • Rep. Luis Gutierrez [D, IL-4]
  • Rep. Jane Harman [D, CA-36]
  • Rep. Michael Honda [D, CA-15]
  • Rep. Darlene Hooley [D, OR-5]
  • Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee [D, TX-18]
  • Rep. Patrick Kennedy [D, RI-1]
  • Rep. Connie Mack [R, FL-14]
  • Rep. Carolyn Maloney [D, NY-14]
  • Rep. James McDermott [D, WA-7]
  • Rep. Ronald Paul [R, TX-14]
  • Rep. Linda Sanchez [D, CA-39]
  • Rep. Robert Scott [D, VA-3]
  • Rep. Mark Udall [D, CO-2]
  • Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz [D, FL-20]
  • Rep. Melvin Watt [D, NC-12]
  • Rep. Robert Wexler [D, FL-19]
  close

Committees

• House Financial Services
• 3 more
  • House Judiciary
  • House Judiciary
  • House Judiciary
  close

Amendments

This bill has no amendments.

Amendments to H.R.3189

Number	Status	Purpose

Bill Status

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Introduced		Voted on by House		Voted on by Senate		Considered By President		Bill Becomes Law
July 26, 2007

Show All Actions (9 actions)Hide Actions

All Bill Actions

• Jun 24, 2008: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by the Yeas and Nays: 7 - 3 .
• Jun 24, 2008: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
• Apr 15, 2008: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
• Sep 10, 2007: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
• Sep 10, 2007: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
• Jul 26, 2007: Referred to House Financial Services
• Jul 26, 2007: Referred to House Judiciary
• Jul 26, 2007: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• Introduced on Jul 26, 2007.

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Related Bills:

• S.2088

Related Issue Areas:

• Criminal justice
• Actions and defenses
• Civil liberties
• Congress
• 14 more
• Congressional reporting requirements
• Criminal investigation
• Emergency management
• Evidence (Law)
• Foreign agents
• Foreign policy
• Injunctions
• Intelligence activities
• Judicial review
• Law
• Politics and government
• Right of privacy
• Subpoena
• Sunset legislation

Data from the Congressional Research Service

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In the News

April 16, 2008 FBI Tells Congress That New Policies Have Solved NSL Lapses

The House Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties is considering a bill, HR 3189, that would reform the use of NSLs by the FBI. ...

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Source: Allheadlines

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September 25, 2007 ACLU Welcomes Proposed NSL Fix in Senate

In the House, Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) have introduced their own NSL fix, HR 3189, also called the National Security ...

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Source: ACLU (press release), NY

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Blog Coverage

June 23, 2008 Judiciary Constitution Subcommittee to Consider Subpoena for ...

HR 3189, the National Security Letters Reform Act of 2007, was introduced by Rep. Nadler, along with Reps. Jeff Flake (AZ-06), William Delahunt (MA-10) and Ron Paul (TX-14). This bipartisan bill would provide crucial checks against the ...

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Source: The Gavel

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May 21, 2008 National Security Letters

Roy went on to call for the passage of the National Security Letters Reform Act of 2007 (HR 3189) “for meaningful Congressional oversight of these risky law enforcement tools.” ACLU staff attorney Melissa Goodman noted, “It appears that ...

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May 19, 2008 FBI Needs Outside Supervision of National Security Letters

The House counterpart, the National Security Letters Reform Act (HR 3189), would not require judicial approval, but it would impose a time limit and tighter requirements on issuance of gag orders. The House bill would also return to the ...

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Source: Firedoglake

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