Fourth Amendment Restoration Act
Fourth Amendment Restoration Act
Plain Language Summary
# Fourth Amendment Restoration Act Summary **What It Would Do:** This bill would repeal the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) of 1978, a law that currently allows the government to conduct certain types of surveillance and searches for foreign intelligence purposes. If passed, the bill would require federal officers to obtain a warrant—approved by a judge—before conducting electronic surveillance, searching property, or targeting U.S. citizens to collect foreign intelligence. The bill also creates criminal penalties for government officials who violate these warrant requirements or misuse information gathered illegally. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects U.S.
citizens and the federal government agencies that conduct national security operations, including the FBI, CIA, and NSA. It could impact how these agencies gather intelligence and monitor potential threats, while strengthening privacy protections for American citizens. **Current Status:** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress by Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) and is currently in committee, meaning it hasn't yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. No action has been taken to advance it.
CRS Official Summary
Fourth Amendment Restoration ActThis bill repeals the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (which authorizes various types of searches and surveillance for foreign intelligence purposes) and limits surveillance of U.S. citizens.The bill requires that an officer of the U.S. government obtain a warrant for certain search and surveillance activities against a U.S. citizen, including (1) conducting electronic surveillance, (2) conducting physical searches of property under a U.S. citizen's exclusive control, or (3) targeting a U.S. citizen to acquire foreign intelligence information.The bill provides for criminal penalties for a person who intentionally (1) violates these requirements without statutory authorization, or (2) discloses or uses information that the person knows (or has a reason to know) was obtained under color of law by methods that violate these requirements. Information about a U.S. citizen acquired under Executive Order 12333 (relating to intelligence gathering) or during surveillance of a non-U.S. citizen shall not be used against the U.S. citizen in any civil, criminal, or administrative proceeding or investigation.
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.