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United States · Law · HR

H.R. 6304 (110th)

FISA Amendments Act of 2008

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

19 June 2008

Last action

10 July 2008 · President

Status

Became Public Law No: 110-261.

Sponsors

Rep. Reyes, Silvestre [D-TX-16], Rep. Hoekstra, Peter [R-MI-2], Rep. Smith, Lamar [R-TX-21]

Subjects

Defence

Source updated

7 April 2025

Defence

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Summary

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 Amendments Act of 2008 or FISA Amendments Act of 2008 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to authorize the Attorney General (AG) and Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to jointly authorize the targeting (electronic surveillance) of persons located outside the United States in order to acquire foreign intelligence information, subject to specified requirements, including: (1) prior certification to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (Court); and (2) certain targeting and minimization procedures. Authorizes: (1) the AG and DNI to direct an electronic communication service provider (provider) to provide the government with all necessary assistance to accomplish the acquisition of information from targeted persons; and (2) the provider to challenge such a directive through the Court. Requires the AG and DNI to conduct semiannual assessments of compliance with targeting and minimization procedures. Provides Court jurisdiction for approving the targeting of a U.S. person located outside the United States when the acquisition is conducted within the United States. Allows the AG to authorize an emergency acquisition of such a target in certain circumstances, upon application within seven days for a Court order authorizing the surveillance. Provides similar Court jurisdiction and outlines similar procedures for the acquisition (and emergency acquisition) of a physical search. Authorizes: (1) joint applications and concurrent approvals of requests for acquisitions proposed to be conducted both inside and outside the United States; and (2) concurrent authorizations of electronic surveillance and physical searches. Directs the AG to report semiannually to the intelligence and judiciary committees concerning the implementation of information acquisition requirements. States that, other than by express statutory authorization, FISA and the procedures of chapters 119 (Wire and Electronic Communications Interception and Interception of Oral Communications), 121 (Stored Wire and Electronic Communications and Transactional Records Access), and 206 (Pen Registers and Trap and Trace Devices) of the federal criminal code shall be the exclusive means by which electronic surveillance and the interception of domestic wire, oral, or electronic communications may be conducted. Requires the AG to submit semiannually to the intelligence committees copies of any orders of the Court or the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review that include significant construction or interpretation of FISA, including any such orders issued during the five-year period before the enactment of this Act. Requires the AG, after authorizing the installation and use of a pen register or trap and trace device on an emergency basis, to apply to the Court for an authorization order within seven days (current law requires 48 hours) after the emergency installation and use. Authorizes the Court to sit en banc when: (1) necessary to secure or maintain uniformity of Court decisions; or (2) the proceeding involves a question of exceptional importance. Authorizes the acquisition of foreign intelligence information from an entity not substantially composed of U.S. persons that is engaged in the international proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Provides certain protections for entities (including a provider, custodian, or landlord) providing surveillance assistance at the request of the AG or the intelligence community. Requires the review of surveillance actions conducted during the period beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending on January 17, 2007.

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

Timeline

  1. 19 June 2008

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 19 June 2008

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 19 June 2008

    Reported

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1285 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6304 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI.

    Source: Floor

  4. 19 June 2008

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  5. 19 June 2008

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  6. 20 June 2008

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  7. 20 June 2008

    Vote

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 293 - 129 (Roll no. 437). (text: CR H5743-5755)

    Source: Floor

  8. 20 June 2008

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 293 - 129 (Roll no. 437).(text: CR H5743-5755)

    Source: Floor

  9. 20 June 2008

    Floor

    The previous question was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H5774)

    Source: Floor

  10. 20 June 2008

    Floor

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6304 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI.

    Source: Floor

  11. 20 June 2008

    Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1285. (consideration: CR H5743-5774)

    Source: Floor

  12. 20 June 2008

    Passed

    Rule H. Res. 1285 passed House.

    Source: Floor

  13. 20 June 2008

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate. Read twice. Ordered Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 827.

    Source: Calendars

  14. 23 June 2008

    Floor

    Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S5950-5953)

    Source: Floor

  15. 25 June 2008

    Vote

    Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 80 - 15. Record Vote Number: 158. (consideration: CR S6141; text: CR S6141)

    Source: Floor

  16. 26 June 2008

    Floor

    Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S6177-6180, S6180-6182, S6196-6200, S6205-6207, S6213-6214, S6224)

    Source: Floor

  17. 8 July 2008

    Passed

    Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. (considertaion: CR S6381)

    Source: Floor

  18. 9 July 2008

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  19. 9 July 2008

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

  20. 9 July 2008

    Action

    Cleared for White House.

  21. 9 July 2008

    Floor

    Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6454-6470, S6470-6476)

    Source: Floor

  22. 9 July 2008

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 69 - 28. Record Vote Number: 168.

    Source: Floor

  23. 10 July 2008

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 110-261.

    Source: President

  24. 10 July 2008

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

  25. 10 July 2008

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

Votes

9 July 2008 · Bill Passed · On Passage of the Bill H.R. 6304 · Bill Passed · Official source

Yes 69 · No 28 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 3

Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

25 June 2008 · Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Agreed to · On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed H.R. 6304 · Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Agreed to · Official source

Yes 80 · No 15 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 5

Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

Versions

Documents

12 official files

Enrolled Bill (text)

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  • Enrolled Bill (text)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Enrolled Bill (PDF)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Public Law (text)

    Public Law · EN · 10 July 2008

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  • Public Law (PDF)

    Public Law · EN · 10 July 2008

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  • Public Law

    summary · EN · 10 July 2008

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  • Engrossed in House (text)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 20 June 2008

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  • Engrossed in House (PDF)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 20 June 2008

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  • Placed on Calendar Senate (text)

    Placed on Calendar Senate · EN · 20 June 2008

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  • Placed on Calendar Senate (PDF)

    Placed on Calendar Senate · EN · 20 June 2008

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 19 June 2008

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 19 June 2008

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 19 June 2008

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