Top Legislation - View All
Also tagged in: Actions and defenses, Administrative procedure, Americans in foreign countries, Appellate courts, Appellate procedure, Biological warfare, Business, Chemical warfare, Congress, Congress and foreign policy, Congressional oversight, Congressional reporting requirements, Court records, Courts of special jurisdiction, Criminal investigation, Criminal justice, Department of Justice, Director of National Intelligence, Electronic surveillance, Emergency management, Evidence (Law), Executive departments, Federal preemption, Foreign agents, Foreign policy, Government information, Government paperwork, Governmental investigations, Inspectors general, Intelligence activities, Internet, Judges, Judicial review, Jurisdiction, Law, Liability (Law), Nuclear nonproliferation, Nuclear terrorism, Nuclear weapons, Politics and government, Searches and seizures, Security clearances, State and local government, Technology, Telecommunication, Telecommunication industry, Terrorism, Warrants (Law), Weapons of mass destruction, Weapons systems
Latest Action: 07/10/2008 - Signed by President. Bill TextTo amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to establish a procedure for authorizing certain acquisitions of foreign intelligence, and for other purposes. 6/19/2008--Introduced. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 Amendments Act of 2008 or FISA Amendments Act of 2008 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to authorize the Attorney General (AG) and Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to jointly authorize the targeting (electronic surveillance) of persons located outside the United States in order to acquire foreign intelligence information, subject to specified requirements, including: (1) prior certification to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (Court); and (2) certain targeting and minimization procedures. Authorizes: (1) the AG and DNI to direct an electronic communication service provider (provider) to provide the government with all necessary assistance to accomplish the acquisition of information [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Appellate courts, Appellate procedure, Congressional reporting requirements, Courts, District courts, Judges, Judicial districts, Judicial reform, Judicial review, Jurisdiction, Law, Virgin Islands
Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Bill TextTo establish the District Court of the Virgin Islands as a court under article III of the United States Constitution. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Judicial District of the Virgin Islands Act of 2007 - Amends the federal judicial code to establish a two-judge Article III court in the Virgin Islands (with court held in Christiansted for the Saint Croix Division, and in Charlotte-Amalie for the Saint Thomas and Saint John Division). Requires pleadings and procedures to be conducted in the English language. Amends the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands to state that: (1) the judicial power of the Virgin Islands shall be vested in an appellate court and lower local courts as may have been or may hereafter be established by local law (eliminates references to the district court of the Virgin Islands); and (2) the U.S. district court of the Virgin Islands shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all income-tax related criminal and civil proceedings in the Virgin Islands, except [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Campaign funds, Civil liberties, Constitution, Constitutional law, Corruption in politics, Elections, Freedom of association, Freedom of speech, Government ethics, Law, Politics and government, Supreme Court decisions
Latest Action: 10/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H11302) Bill TextExpressing the sense of Congress that the Supreme Court misinterpreted the First Amendment to the Constitution in the case of Buckley v. Valeo. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Supreme Court misinterpreted the First Amendment to the Constitution in the case of Buckley v. Valeo because the decision failed to recognize: (1) that the unlimited spending of large amounts of money on elections has a corrosive effect on the electoral process not simply because of direct transactions between those who give large amounts of money and candidates and elected officials but because the presence of unlimited amounts of money corrupts the process on a more fundamental level; and (2) other legitimate state interests which justify limiting money in campaigns, including the need to preserve the integrity of our republican form of government, restore public confidence in government, and ensure all citizens a more equal opportunity to participate in the political [...] show full description
Latest Action: 09/10/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. Bill TextProposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States regarding the requirement of the approval of a two-thirds majority of the Supreme Court for any pardon or reprieve granted by the President. 8/3/2007--Introduced. Constitutional Amendment - Provides that a presidential pardon or reprieve shall become effective only on the review and consent of two-thirds of the Justices of the Supreme Court pursuant to finding that such pardon or reprieve is consistent with the interests of justice and does not undermine the effectiveness, integrity, and impartiality of the federal criminal justice system.
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Congress, Congressional oversight, Congressional reporting requirements, Congressional-executive relations, Counterintelligence, Counterterrorism, Courts of special jurisdiction, Criminal investigation, Criminal justice, Department of Defense, Department of Justice, Electronic surveillance, Employee training, Evidence (Law), Executive departments, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal law enforcement officers, Foreign agents, Foreign policy, Government attorneys, Government employees, Intelligence activities, International affairs, Judges, Judicial review, Law, President and foreign policy, Presidents, Terrorism, Terrorists, Warrants (Law)
Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S183-184) Bill TextA bill to provide sufficient resources to permit electronic surveillance of United States persons for foreign intelligence purposes to be conducted pursuant to individualized court-issued orders for calls originating in the United States, to provide additional resources to enhance oversight and streamline the procedures of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, to ensure review of the Terrorist Surveillance Program by the United States Supreme Court, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Oversight and Resource Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to: (1) authorize the appointment of additional judges to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (Court); and (2) require FISA judges to act on applications for emergency electronic surveillance within 24 hours. Authorizes the hiring of additional personnel in the Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Actions and defenses, Afghanistan, Communications, Criminal justice, Electronic surveillance, Foreign banks and banking, Foreign policy, Injunctions, Intelligence activities, International affairs, International finance, Iraq, Iraq compilation, Judicial review, Law, Middle East and North Africa, Pakistan, Parties to actions, Reporters and reporting, South Asia, State-sponsored terrorism, Telecommunication, Terrorism, Terrorists, Warrants (Law)
Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Bill TextA bill to expedite review by the Supreme Court of the warrantless electronic surveillance program of the National Security Agency. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Foreign Surveillance Expedited Review Act - Provides standing for civil actions for declaratory and injunctive relief to persons who refrain from electronic communications through fear of being subject to warrantless electronic surveillance for foreign intelligence purposes.
Latest Action: 12/13/2007 - Committee on the Judiciary. Date of scheduled consideration. SD-226. 10:00 a.m. Bill TextA bill to permit the televising of Supreme Court proceedings. 1/22/2007--Introduced. Requires the Supreme Court to permit television coverage of all open sessions of the Court unless it decides by majority vote that allowing such coverage in a particular case would violate the due process rights of any of the parties involved.
Also tagged in: Administration of justice, Appellate courts, Civil procedure, Communications, Court reporting, Criminal justice, Criminal procedure, District courts, Due process of law, Humanities, Judges, Juries, Law, Photography, Radio broadcasting, Sound recording and reproducing, Technology, Telecommunication, Television broadcasting, Video tape recording, Witnesses
Latest Action: 03/13/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with amendments. Without written report. Bill TextA bill to provide for media coverage of Federal court proceedings. 3/13/2008--Reported to Senate amended. (There is 1 other summary) Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2008 - Authorizes the presiding judge of a U.S. appellate court or U.S. district court to permit the photographing, electronic recording, broadcasting, or televising to the public of court proceedings over which that judge presides except when such action would constitute a violation of the due process rights of any party.Directs: (1) a district court, upon the request of any witness in a trial proceeding other than a party, to order the face and voice of the witness to be disguised or otherwise obscured to render the witness unrecognizable to the broadcast audience of the trial proceeding; and (2) the presiding judge in a trial proceeding to inform each witness who is not a party of the right to make such request. Prohibits the presiding judge from permitting the photographing,[...] show full description
Also tagged in: Appellate courts, Appellate procedure, Armed forces, Civil liberties, Civil procedure, Congress, Congress and foreign policy, Congressional oversight, Conspiracy, Constitution, Constitutional law, Counterterrorism, Courts-martial and courts of inquiry, Criminal justice, Criminal procedure, Defense policy, Discovery (Law), District courts, Due process of law, Evidence (Law), Exclusionary rule (Evidence), Foreign policy, Government attorneys, Habeas corpus, Hearsay evidence, Human rights, Intelligence activities, International affairs, Iraq compilation, Judicial review, Jurisdiction, Law, Lawyers, Presidential powers, Presidents, Prisoners of war, Punishment, Searches and seizures, September 11, 2001, Terrorism, Terrorists, Torture, Treaties, War crimes, Warrants (Law), Witnesses
Latest Action: 09/17/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11563) Bill TextA bill to provide for the effective prosecution of terrorists and guarantee due process rights. 2/13/2007--Introduced. Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007 - Amends federal provisions concerning the prosecution of unlawful enemy combatants by U.S. military commissions to, among other things: (1) repeal the authority for civilian trial (prosecution) counsel in a commission proceeding, but authorize civilian military defense counsel; (2) exclude statements made by coercion; (3) authorize the Secretary of Defense to make exceptions to commission procedures and rules of evidence as required by unique circumstances of military or intelligence operations during hostilities; (4) provide for self-representation by the accused, while requiring assistance by military defense counsel; (5) authorize the military judge to order trial counsel to disclose to defense counsel the sources, methods, or activities in which witnesses or evidence against the accused was obtained; (6) require [...] show full description
Latest Action: 03/01/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. Bill TextTo amend title 28, United States Code, with respect to the jurisdiction of Federal courts over certain cases and controversies involving the Pledge of Allegiance. 1/29/2007--Introduced. Pledge Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the federal judicial code to deny jurisdiction to any federal court, and appellate jurisdiction to the Supreme Court, to hear or decide any question pertaining to the interpretation of the Pledge of Allegiance or its validity under the Constitution. Makes this limitation inapplicable to: (1) any court established by Congress under its power to make needful rules and regulations respecting the territory of the United States; or (2) the Superior Court of the District of Columbia or the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.
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Latest Legislation - View All
Also tagged in: Actions and defenses, Administrative procedure, Americans in foreign countries, Appellate courts, Appellate procedure, Biological warfare, Business, Chemical warfare, Congress, Congress and foreign policy, Congressional oversight, Congressional reporting requirements, Court records, Courts of special jurisdiction, Criminal investigation, Criminal justice, Department of Justice, Director of National Intelligence, Electronic surveillance, Emergency management, Evidence (Law), Executive departments, Federal preemption, Foreign agents, Foreign policy, Government information, Government paperwork, Governmental investigations, Inspectors general, Intelligence activities, Internet, Judges, Judicial review, Jurisdiction, Law, Liability (Law), Nuclear nonproliferation, Nuclear terrorism, Nuclear weapons, Politics and government, Searches and seizures, Security clearances, State and local government, Technology, Telecommunication, Telecommunication industry, Terrorism, Warrants (Law), Weapons of mass destruction, Weapons systems
Latest Action: 07/10/2008 - Signed by President. Bill TextTo amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to establish a procedure for authorizing certain acquisitions of foreign intelligence, and for other purposes. 6/19/2008--Introduced. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 Amendments Act of 2008 or FISA Amendments Act of 2008 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to authorize the Attorney General (AG) and Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to jointly authorize the targeting (electronic surveillance) of persons located outside the United States in order to acquire foreign intelligence information, subject to specified requirements, including: (1) prior certification to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (Court); and (2) certain targeting and minimization procedures. Authorizes: (1) the AG and DNI to direct an electronic communication service provider (provider) to provide the government with all necessary assistance to accomplish the acquisition of information [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Congress, Congressional oversight, Congressional reporting requirements, Courts of special jurisdiction, Criminal investigation, Criminal justice, Electronic surveillance, Foreign agents, Foreign policy, Intelligence activities, International affairs, Judicial review, Law, Terrorism, Warrants (Law)
Latest Action: 12/11/2007 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 529. Bill TextA bill to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, to modernize and streamline the provisions of that Act, and for other purposes. 12/10/2007--Introduced. FISA Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to authorize the Attorney General (AG) and Director of National Intelligence to jointly authorize, for periods up to one year, the targeting (electronic surveillance) of persons located outside the United States to acquire foreign intelligence information. Requires specified targeting and surveillance minimization procedures to be followed, with Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (Court) review of such procedures. States that chapters 119 (Wire and Electronic Communications Interception and Interception of Oral Communications) and 121 (Stored Wire and Electronic Communications and Transactional Records Access) of the federal criminal code and FISA shall be the exclusive means by which electronic surveillance [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Actions and defenses, Appellate procedure, Armed forces, Business, Congress, Congressional oversight, Congressional reporting requirements, Courts of special jurisdiction, Criminal investigation, Criminal justice, Defense policy, Department of Justice, Electronic surveillance, Evidence (Law), Executive departments, Federal preemption, Foreign agents, Foreign policy, Governmental investigations, Inspectors general, Intelligence activities, International affairs, Internet, Judicial review, Law, Liability (Law), Nuclear nonproliferation, Politics and government, Searches and seizures, Security clearances, State and local government, State laws, Technology, Telecommunication, Telecommunication industry, Terrorism, Warrants (Law), Weapons of mass destruction, Weapons systems
Latest Action: 12/11/2007 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 530. Bill TextA bill to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, to modernize and streamline the provisions of that Act, and for other purposes. 12/10/2007--Introduced. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 Amendments Act of 2007 or FISA Amendments Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to authorize the Attorney General (AG) and Director of National Intelligence to jointly authorize, for periods up to one year, the targeting (electronic surveillance) of persons located outside the United States to acquire foreign intelligence information. Requires specified targeting and surveillance minimization procedures to be followed, with Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (Court) review of such procedures.States that: (1) FISA shall be the exclusive means for targeting U.S. persons inside or outside the United States, except where specific statutory authorization exists to obtain foreign intelligence information without an [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Actions and defenses, Armed forces, Business, Congress, Congressional oversight, Congressional reporting requirements, Counterterrorism, Courts of special jurisdiction, Criminal investigation, Criminal justice, Defense policy, Electronic surveillance, Federal preemption, Foreign agents, Foreign policy, Governmental investigations, Intelligence activities, International affairs, Internet, Judicial review, Law, Liability (Law), Nuclear nonproliferation, Searches and seizures, State and local government, State laws, Technology, Telecommunication, Telecommunication industry, Terrorism, Warrants (Law), Weapons of mass destruction, Weapons systems
Latest Action: 02/12/2008 - S.AMDT.4018 Amendment SA 4018 proposed by Senator Rockefeller to Amendment SA 3911. To make technical corrections. Bill TextAn original bill to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, to modernize and streamline the provisions of that Act, and for other purposes. 2/12/2008--Passed Senate amended. (There are 3 other summaries) Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 Amendments Act of 2008 or FISA Amendments Act of 2008 - Title I: Foreign Intelligence Surveillance - (Sec. 101) Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to add a new title concerning additional procedures for acquiring the communications of certain persons outside the United States. Authorizes the Attorney General (AG) and Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to jointly authorize, for periods up to one year, the targeting (electronic surveillance) of persons located outside the United States in order to acquire foreign intelligence information, under specified limitations, including: (1) prohibiting an acquisition intentionally targeting a person reasonably [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Armed forces, Classified defense information, Congress, Congress and foreign policy, Congressional oversight, Congressional reporting requirements, Courts of special jurisdiction, Criminal investigation, Criminal justice, Defense policy, Department of Defense, Department of Justice, Electronic surveillance, Emergency management, Employee training, Executive departments, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal officials, Foreign policy, Government employees, Government information, Government paperwork, Intelligence activities, Intelligence officers, Job training, Judges, Judicial review, Jurisdiction, Law, President and foreign policy, Presidents, Recruiting of employees, Sunset legislation, Terrorism, War and emergency powers, Warrants (Law)
Latest Action: 11/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. Bill TextTo reiterate the exclusivity of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 as the sole authority to permit the conduct of electronic surveillance, to modernize surveillance authorities, and for other purposes. 10/9/2007--Introduced. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Improvement and Enhancement Act of 2007 - Prescribes the federal law provisions governing domestic electronic surveillance. Directs the President to brief each member of the congressional intelligence committees on: (1) the Terrorist Surveillance Program of the National Security Agency (NSA); and (2) any program which involves the electronic surveillance of U.S. persons in the United States for foreign intelligence purposes which is conducted by any federal department or entity without fully complying with the prescribed federal law provisions. Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) concerning electronic surveillance to: (1) extend the period for the application for [...] show full description
Latest Action: 09/17/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11588-11589) Bill TextA bill to allow for certiorari review of certain cases denied relief or review by the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. 9/17/2007--Introduced. Equal Justice for United States Military Personnel Act of 2007 - Amends the federal judicial code to allow for review by writ of certiorari of certain cases denied relief or review by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.
Latest Action: 09/10/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. Bill TextProposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States regarding the requirement of the approval of a two-thirds majority of the Supreme Court for any pardon or reprieve granted by the President. 8/3/2007--Introduced. Constitutional Amendment - Provides that a presidential pardon or reprieve shall become effective only on the review and consent of two-thirds of the Justices of the Supreme Court pursuant to finding that such pardon or reprieve is consistent with the interests of justice and does not undermine the effectiveness, integrity, and impartiality of the federal criminal justice system.
Latest Action: 09/10/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property. Bill TextTo amend titles 28 and 10, United States Code, to allow for certiorari review of certain cases denied relief or review by the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. 7/25/2007--Introduced. Equal Justice for Our Military Act of 2007 - Amends the federal judicial code to allow for review by writ of certiorari of certain cases denied relief or review by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.
Also tagged in: Congress, Congressional legal counsel, Congressional-executive relations, Constitution, Constitutional law, Judicial opinions, Judicial review, Law, Legislation, Legislative resolutions, Parties to actions, Presidential powers, Presidents, Senate, State and local government, State courts
Latest Action: 08/10/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. Bill TextTo regulate the judicial use of presidential signing statements in the interpretation of Acts of Congress. 7/16/2007--Introduced. Presidential Signing Statements Act of 2007 - Prohibits any state or federal court from relying on or deferring to a presidential signing statement as a source of authority when determining the meaning of any Act of Congress. Requires any federal or state court, in any action, suit, or proceeding regarding the construction or constitutionality, or both, of any Act of Congress in which a presidential signing statement was issued, to permit the Senate, through the Office of Senate Legal Counsel, or the House, through the Office of General Counsel for the House, or both, to participate as an amicus curiae, and to present an oral argument on the question of the Act's construction or constitutionality, or both. Authorizes the full Congress, in any such suit, to pass a concurrent resolution declaring its view of the proper interpretation [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Congress, Congressional legal counsel, Congressional-executive relations, Constitution, Constitutional law, Judicial opinions, Judicial review, Law, Legislation, Legislative resolutions, Parties to actions, Presidential powers, Presidents, Senate, State and local government, State courts
Latest Action: 06/29/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8744-8745) Bill TextA bill to regulate the judicial use of presidential signing statements in the interpretation of Act of Congress. 6/29/2007--Introduced. Presidential Signing Statements Act of 2007 - Prohibits any state or federal court from relying on or deferring to a presidential signing statement as a source of authority when determining the meaning of any Act of Congress. Requires any federal or state court, in any action, suit, or proceeding regarding the construction or constitutionality, or both, of any Act of Congress in which a presidential signing statement was issued, to permit the Senate, through the Office of Senate Legal Counsel, or the House, through the Office of General Counsel for the House, or both, to participate as an amicus curiae, and to present an oral argument on the question of the Act's construction or constitutionality, or both. Authorizes the full Congress, in any such suit, to pass a concurrent resolution declaring its view of the proper interpretation [...] show full description
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