A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Subpoena Abuse Prevention Act aims to amend section 2703 of title 18, United States Code. It seeks to prohibit certain uses of administrative subpoenas regarding customer communications and records. The bill establishes protections for phone and app-based call and text records. It also introduces requirements for identifying specific subscribers to prevent bulk collection. Additionally, the act prohibits using subpoenas to investigate or retaliate against constitutionally protected activities. Finally, it mandates annual public reporting on the use of administrative subpoenas by federal entities.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +7
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates that federal entities publish annual reports detailing the use of administrative subpoenas.
- Scored +7
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill provides enhanced privacy protections for phone and app-based communication records and prohibits bulk subscriber collection.
- Scored +7
Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life?
The bill prohibits using subpoenas to investigate or monitor activities protected by the First Amendment, such as free speech and press.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Constitutional Rights: The bill prevents government entities from using subpoenas to investigate, monitor, or acquire information about activities protected by the Constitution, such as free speech, press, religion, assembly, or petition (Section 2, subsection c).
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Prevention of Retaliation: It prohibits the use of subpoenas for the purpose of retaliating against individuals engaged in constitutionally protected activities (Section 2, subsection c).
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Increased Transparency and Accountability: Government entities are required to provide a certification under penalty of perjury that a subpoena is for a legitimate purpose, which helps ensure they are not targeting protected activities (Section 2, subsection c).
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Increased Public Oversight: Federal governmental entities must publish annual reports detailing the number of administrative subpoenas issued and the number of accounts for which information was received (Section 2, subsection e).
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Enhanced Communication Rights: Service providers are informed that they may notify customers of a subpoena and may consult with an attorney for legal advice (Section 2, subsection d).
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Prevention of Bulk Collection: The bill requires that for any administrative, grand jury, or trial subpoena, the government must identify the specific subscriber or customer by name, address, network address, or account identifier (Section 2, subsection b).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts for individuals or groups are explicitly detailed within the text of the bill.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates that federal entities publish annual reports detailing the use of administrative subpoenas. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill provides enhanced privacy protections for phone and app-based communication records and prohibits bulk subscriber collection.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life? — The bill prohibits using subpoenas to investigate or monitor activities protected by the First Amendment, such as free speech and press. Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill introduces required certifications and limits bulk collection to prevent targeted investigations based on constitutionally protected activities.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The act strengthens privacy by preventing bulk collection of subscriber information and protecting communication records.
- 5/20/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming