USA FREEDOM Reauthorization Act of 2020
This bill reauthorizes through December 1, 2023, provisions related to intelligence gathering under the Foreign Intelligence and Surveillance Act (FISA) and amends FISA-related provisions.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation may not seek certain FISA-authorized orders to obtain (1) call detail records on an ongoing basis, (2) a tangible thing where a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy and a warrant would typically be required, or (3) cellular or GPS location information.
In applications for certain FISA-authorized orders to obtain information or conduct surveillance, the applicant must certify that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has received any information that might raise doubts about the application. The bill imposes additional requirements on FISA-authorized orders targeting a (1) U.S. person, or (2) federal elected official or candidate.
The bill increases criminal penalties for violations related to electronic surveillance conducted under color of law or false statements made to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISA court).
The bill broadens the criteria for when a FISA court decision shall be declassified and requires the declassification review and release of such opinions within 180 days of an opinion being issued.
The bill broadens the FISA court's authority to appoint an amicus curiae (an outside party that assists in consideration of a case) and expands such amici's powers, such as the power to ask the court to review a decision.
Each agency that submits applications to the FISA court shall appoint an officer responsible for compliance with FISA requirements.
| Action Date | Type | Text | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-06-01 | Floor | Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House requests a conference. | Senate |
| 2020-05-28 | ResolvingDifferences | The Speaker appointed conferees: Nadler, Schiff, Lofgren, Jordan, and Nunes. | House floor actions |
| 2020-05-28 | Vote | On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendments, and request a conference Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 284 - 122 (Roll no. 115). | House floor actions |
| 2020-05-28 | Floor | DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the motion to disagree to the Senate amendments and request a conference on H.R. 6172. | House floor actions |
| 2020-05-28 | ResolvingDifferences | Mr. Nadler moved that the House disagree to the Senate amendments, and request a conference. (consideration: CR H2340-2346; text: CR H2340-2342) | House floor actions |
| 2020-05-14 | Floor | Message on Senate action sent to the House. | Senate |
| 2020-05-14 | Vote | Passed Senate, under the order of 5/12/20, having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative, with amendments by Yea-Nay Vote. 80 - 16. Record Vote Number: 92. | Senate |
| 2020-05-14 | Floor | Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S2432-2441) | Senate |
| 2020-05-13 | Floor | Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2388, S2396-2400, S2409-2412, S2414) | Senate |
| 2020-03-16 | Floor | Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate. (CR S1753) | Senate |
| 2020-03-16 | Floor | Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S1748) | Senate |
| 2020-03-12 | Floor | Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S1735) | Senate |
| 2020-03-12 | Floor | Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S1735) | Senate |
| 2020-03-12 | Calendars | Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 440. | Senate |
| 2020-03-11 | Calendars | Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. | Senate |
| 2020-03-11 | Floor | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | House floor actions |
| 2020-03-11 | Floor | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | House floor actions |
| 2020-03-11 | Vote | On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 278 - 136 (Roll no. 98). (text: CR H1622-1627) | House floor actions |
| 2020-03-11 | Floor | The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. | House floor actions |
| 2020-03-11 | Floor | DEBATE - The House resumed with debate on H.R. 6172. | House floor actions |
| 2020-03-11 | Floor | DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 6172. | House floor actions |
| 2020-03-11 | Floor | Rule provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 68, H.R. 2486 and H.R. 6172. Resolution provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 68, the Senate amendment to H.R. 2486, and H.R. 6172. For S.J. Res. 68, the resolution provides for 1 hour of debate and 1 motion to commit. For the Senate amendment to H.R. 2486, the question will be divided and each portion will have 1 hour of debate. H.R. 6172 will have 1 hour ofdebate and 1 motion to recommit with or without instructions. | House floor actions |
| 2020-03-11 | Floor | Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 891. (consideration: CR H1622-1637) | House floor actions |
| 2020-03-11 | Floor | Rule H. Res. 891 passed House. | House floor actions |
| 2020-03-10 | Floor | Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 891 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 68, H.R. 2486 and H.R. 6172. Resolution provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 68, the Senate amendment to H.R. 2486, and H.R. 6172. For S.J. Res. 68, the resolution provides for 1 hour of debate and 1 motion to commit. For the Senate amendment to H.R. 2486, the question will be divided and each portion will have 1 hour of debate. H.R. 6172 will have 1 hour ofdebate and 1 motion to recommit with or without instructions. | House floor actions |
| 2020-03-10 | IntroReferral | Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), Oversight and Reform, and Homeland Security, 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. | House floor actions |
| 2020-03-10 | IntroReferral | Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), Oversight and Reform, and Homeland Security, 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. | House floor actions |
| 2020-03-10 | IntroReferral | Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), Oversight and Reform, and Homeland Security, 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. | House floor actions |
| 2020-03-10 | IntroReferral | Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), Oversight and Reform, and Homeland Security, 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. | House floor actions |
| 2020-03-10 | IntroReferral | Introduced in House | Library of Congress |