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H.R. 4712 114th Congress House

Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act

Official title: To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide for an option under the Secure Mail Initiative under which a person to whom a document is sent under th… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide for an option under the Secure Mail Initiative under which a person to whom a document is sent under that initiative may require that the United States Postal Service obtain a signature from that person in order to deliver the document, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 15, 2016 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Congressional oversightImmigration status and proceduresPostal service
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This bill died when the 114th Congress ended
It never became law before the 114th Congress (2015–2016) 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 9 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 22, 2016
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Sep 21, 2016
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 21, 2016
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5774)
Sep 21, 2016
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5774)
Sep 21, 2016
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4712.
Sep 21, 2016
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5774-5776)
Sep 21, 2016
Mr. Bishop (MI) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Mar 3, 2016
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
Mar 3, 2016
Introduced in House
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 Latest action September 22, 2016

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to provide an option under the Secure Mail Initiative under which, for payment of a fee recouping costs, a person to whom a document is sent under such initiative may require the U.S. Postal Service to obtain a signature from that person in order to deliver the document.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 3490 Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act
 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 8
All 8 Democratic 6 Republican 1
R
Valadao, David G.
California · Apr 15, 2016
 D
Meng, Grace
New York · Mar 23, 2016
 D
Carson, André
Indiana · Mar 15, 2016
 D
Veasey, Marc A.
Texas · Mar 15, 2016
 D
Clarke, Yvette D.
New York · Mar 3, 2016
 D
Lofgren, Zoe
California · Mar 3, 2016
 D
Quigley, Mike
Illinois · Mar 3, 2016
Woodall, Rob
· Mar 3, 2016
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4712: Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-4712/
MLA
"H.R. 4712: Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-4712/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4712, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-4712/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4712: Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-4712/)
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