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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 5607 (110th)

State Secret Protection Act of 2008

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

13 March 2008

Last action

25 July 2008 · Referred

Status

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Sponsors

Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Petri, Thomas E. [R-WI-6], Rep. Conyers, John, Jr. [D-MI-13], Rep. Delahunt, William D. [D-MA-10], Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Hastings, Alcee L. [D-FL-20], Rep. Boucher, Rick [D-VA-9], Rep. Frank, Barney [D-MA-4]

Subjects

Defence

Source updated

14 August 2025

Defence

Summary

State Secret Protection Act of 2008 - Declares that in any civil action brought in federal or state court the government has a privilege to refuse to give evidence and to prevent any person from giving evidence only if the government shows that public disclosure of the evidence that the government seeks to protect would be reasonably likely to cause significant harm to the national defense or the diplomatic relations of the United States. Requires the court to take steps, including in camera hearings and other proceedings, to protect sensitive information that comes before it. Sets forth rules regarding the participation of counsel or the disclosure of information when it presents a risk of harm. Provides for court-ordered presentation of adequate or nonprivileged substitutes for privileged evidence. Allows the government to: (1) assert the privilege in connection with any claim in a civil action to which it is a party; or (2) intervene in a civil action to which it is not a party in order to do so. Provides that once the government has asserted the privilege, and before the court makes any determinations, the court shall: (1) undertake a preliminary review of the information in question; and (2) provide the government an opportunity to seek protective measures under this Act. Establishes procedures and a standard for assessing the privilege claim. Allows disclosure of an item of evidence to a nongovernmental party, or admission at trial, if the court determines that the privilege is not validly asserted. Prohibits such disclosure or admission if the privilege is determined valid. Grants the courts of appeal jurisdiction of an appeal by any party from any interlocutory decision or order of a U.S. district court.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 13 March 2008

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 13 March 2008

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E392)

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 13 March 2008

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 13 March 2008

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  5. 25 July 2008

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

    Source: Committee

Votes

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Versions

Documents

3 official files

Introduced in House (text)

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 13 March 2008

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 13 March 2008

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 13 March 2008

    Open at official source

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Sponsors

Related records

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Sources

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