Bill · H.R. 117· House(119-HR-117)
Fourth Amendment Restoration Act
- Introduced
- 1/3/2025
- Last activity
- 1/3/2025 — 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.
- Sponsored by
- Andy Biggs
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Fourth Amendment Restoration Act," seeks to repeal the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978. It establishes strict new requirements for officers of the United States when seeking information regarding United States citizens. Under this Act, specific warrants issued through Federal courts and the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure would be required for various types of surveillance and searches. It also limits how information acquired through certain surveillance or executive orders can be used in legal proceedings. Finally, the bill establishes criminal sanctions and penalties for unauthorized surveillance or the use of such information.
Yes
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?+8
The bill establishes strict warrant requirements for electronic and physical surveillance of United States citizens.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+7
The bill prohibits the use of certain surveillance information as evidence in criminal, civil, or administrative proceedings.
Does this change how police departments operate?+6
The bill requires federal officers to obtain judicial warrants before conducting electronic surveillance or physical searches of citizens.
The opposite
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?-7
The bill limits the government's ability to conduct surveillance by requiring warrants and restricting the use of acquired information.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Privacy Protections for Citizens: According to Section 4(a), an officer of the United States must now obtain a warrant issued by a Federal court using the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure before conducting electronic surveillance, physical searches of premises or property, or targeting a United States citizen for foreign intelligence information.
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Protection of Tangible Property and Records: Section 4(a)(4) requires a warrant for the production of tangible things, such as books, records, papers, and documents, concerning a United States citizen to obtain foreign intelligence information.
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Restriction on Use of Information in Legal Proceedings: Section 4(b) stipulates that information concerning a United States citizen acquired under Executive Order 12333 shall not be used as evidence against them in any criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding or investigation.
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Protection Against Information from Non-Citizen Surveillance: Section 5 dictates that any information concerning a United States citizen acquired during the surveillance of a non-United States citizen cannot be used in evidence against that citizen in criminal, civil, or administrative proceedings or investigations.
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Accountability Through Criminal Penalties: Section 6 establishes that any person who intentionally engages in the prohibited surveillance activities described in Section 4, or discloses information obtained through those unauthorized methods, is guilty of an offense punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for at least five years.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Criminal Liability for Government Employees: Section 6(d) establishes Federal jurisdiction for offenses committed by officers or employees of the United States who engage in the prohibited activities described in the Act.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Privacy Rights+8Improves Due Process+7
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Increases Domestic Surveillance-7
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform+6
- 1/3/2025
- 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.
- Introduced in House