Skip to main content
HR 8659 116th Congress House Science, Technology, Communications Administrative law and regulatory procedures Congressional oversight Congressional-executive branch relations Consumer affairs Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Government ethics and transparency, public corruption Government information and archives Government liability Homeland security Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information Intergovernmental relations Internet and video services Internet, web applications, social media Legislative rules and procedure Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents Telecommunication rates and fees Telephone and wireless communication War and emergency powers

Preventing Unwarranted Communications Shutdowns Act of 2020

Introduced: October 23, 2020 See on congress.gov
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 23, 2020
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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.
Oct 23, 2020
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E982)
Oct 23, 2020
Introduced in House
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Preventing Unwarranted Communications Shutdowns Act of 2020

This bill limits the authority of the President to exercise certain emergency powers related to communications (e.g., suspending or amending rules and regulations applicable to facilities or stations for wire communications).

What's happening now October 23, 2020

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1
R
Griffith, H. Morgan
Virginia · Oct 23, 2020
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 8659: Preventing Unwarranted Communications Shutdowns Act of 2020. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8659/
MLA
"H.R. 8659: Preventing Unwarranted Communications Shutdowns Act of 2020." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8659/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 8659, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8659/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 8659: Preventing Unwarranted Communications Shutdowns Act of 2020](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8659/)
Report a problem