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.
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.
| Action Date | Type | Text | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-20 | IntroReferral | Received in the Senate. | Senate |
| 2025-11-19 | Floor | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | House floor actions |
| 2025-11-19 | Vote | 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) | House floor actions |
| 2025-11-19 | Floor | Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4808) | House floor actions |
| 2025-11-19 | Floor | At 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. | House floor actions |
| 2025-11-19 | Floor | DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6019. | House floor actions |
| 2025-11-19 | Floor | Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4790-4794) | House floor actions |
| 2025-11-19 | Floor | Mr. Steil moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. | House floor actions |
| 2025-11-12 | IntroReferral | Referred to the House Committee on House Administration. | House floor actions |
| 2025-11-12 | IntroReferral | Introduced in House | Library of Congress |