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H.R. 8970 116th Congress House

Protect Our Civil Liberties Act

Official title: To repeal the USA PATRIOT Act and the FISA Amendments Act of 2008, and for other purposes.

Introduced: December 15, 2020 See on congress.gov
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Agricultural tradeAsiaAssault and harassment offensesAviation and airportsBank accounts, deposits, capitalBorder security and unlawful immigrationBroadcasting, cable, digital technologiesBusiness recordsCanadaChemical and biological weaponsCivil actions and liabilityCommodities marketsComputer security and identity theftComputers and information technologyCongressional oversightConsumer creditCredit and credit marketsCrime preventionCrime victimsCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal justice information and recordsCriminal procedure and sentencingCurrencyCustoms enforcementDepartment of DefenseDepartment of JusticeDepartment of StateDepartment of the TreasuryDetention of personsDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadDisability and paralysisDisability assistanceDistrict of ColumbiaDrug, alcohol, tobacco useDue process and equal protectionElementary and secondary educationEmergency communications systemsEmergency medical services and trauma careEmployment and training programsEspionage and treasonEuropeExecutive agency funding and structureFederal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)Federal Reserve SystemFederal appellate courtsFederal district courtsFederal officialsFirearms and explosivesFiresFirst responders and emergency personnelForeign laborFraud offenses and financial crimesGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesIntelligence activities, surveillance, classified informationJudgesLaw enforcement administration and fundingLaw enforcement officersLicensing and registrationsMiddle EastMilitary assistance, sales, and agreementsMotor carriersNorth AmericaRacial and ethnic relationsSpecialized courtsStudent recordsSubversive activitiesTerrorismTrade restrictionsViolent crime
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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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 15, 2020
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, Energy and Commerce, Education and Labor, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Armed Services, 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.
Dec 15, 2020
Introduced in House
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 Latest action December 15, 2020

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, Energy and Commerce, Education and Labor, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Armed Services, 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.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Protect Our Civil Liberties Act

This bill limits government surveillance, including by repealing the USA PATRIOT Act and certain provisions of the FISA Amendments Act of 2008, and contains other intelligence-related provisions.

Specifically, the bill repeals all provisions of the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 except for a provision requiring certain Department of Justice reports to Congress and another provision authorizing the acquisition of foreign intelligence from certain entities engaged in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Information that concerns a U.S. person must be destroyed if it was previously collected under the laws repealed by the bill.

The bill also prohibits the federal government from (1) acquiring information relating to a U.S. person by using certain foreign intelligence gathering authority without a warrant, (2) requiring electronics or software manufacturers to install a mechanism for the government to bypass encryption or privacy technology, or (3) retaliating against intelligence community whistleblowers.

The bill also extends the terms of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court judges from 7 to 10 years and makes such judges eligible for reappointment. Such judges may also appoint special masters to advise the court on technical issues.

The Government Accountability Office must annually evaluate the federal government's compliance with certain laws concerning the collection of foreign intelligence.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 8
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1
R
Massie, Thomas
Kentucky · Dec 15, 2020
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 8970: Protect Our Civil Liberties Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8970/
MLA
"H.R. 8970: Protect Our Civil Liberties Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8970/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 8970, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8970/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 8970: Protect Our Civil Liberties Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8970/)
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