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HR 596 101th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Armed Forces and National Security Capital punishment Classified defense information Espionage Information leaking Sentences (Criminal procedure) Treason

To amend title 18, United States Code, to create a new Federal criminal offense of treasonous espionage, consisting of the unauthorized disclosure of classified information detrimental to the…

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To amend title 18, United States Code, to create a new Federal criminal offense of treasonous espionage, consisting of the unauthorized disclosure of classified information detrimental to the national security for profit.

Introduced: January 20, 1989 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 101st Congress ended
It never became law before the 101st Congress (1989–1990) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 9, 1990
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Jun 6, 1989
Referred to the Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights.
Jan 20, 1989
Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.
Jan 20, 1989
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Amends the Federal criminal code to make it a criminal offense to disclose for financial profit any classified secret information to any foreign government (with the intention or belief that such information will be used to injure the United States or be used to the advantage of the foreign country).

Authorizes the death penalty if such disclosure severely jeopardizes the national security of the United States. Requires a separate sentencing hearing before a jury or (upon motion of the defendant) the judge. Sets forth mitigating factors which preclude the death sentence.

What's happening now May 9, 1990

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Neal, Richard E.
Massachusetts · Mar 7, 1989
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 596: To amend title 18, United States Code, to create a new Federal criminal offense of treasonous espionage, consisting of the unauthorized disclosure of classified information detrimental to the national security for profit.. 101st Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-596/
MLA
"H.R. 596: To amend title 18, United States Code, to create a new Federal criminal offense of treasonous espionage, consisting of the unauthorized disclosure of classified information detrimental to the national security for profit.." 101st Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-596/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 596, 101st Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-596/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 596: To amend title 18, United States Code, to create a new Federal criminal offense of treasonous espionage, consisting of the unauthorized disclosure of classified information detrimental to the national security for profit.](https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-596/)
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