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S. 2035: Free Flow of Information Act of 2007

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S. 2035: Free Flow of Information Act of 2007

110th Congress · introduced 2007-09-10 · Law · Latest: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure withdrawn in Senate. (consideration: CR S7721)

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2007-09-10 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: Senate vote 191 (2008): On the Cloture Motion, S2035 (2008-07-30), Cloture Motion Rejected. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure withdrawn in Senate. (consideration: CR S7721) Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Free Flow of Information Act of 2007

Plain summary

Free Flow of Information Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Prohibits a federal entity (an entity or employee of the judicial or executive branch or an administrative agency) from compelling a covered person to testify or produce any document relating to protected information unless a court makes specified determinations by a preponderance of the evidence, including that all reasonable alternative sources have been exhausted, that the testimony or document sought is essential, and that nondisclosure would be contrary to the public interest, taking into account both the public interest in compelling disclosure and the public interest in gathering news and maintaining the free flow of information. Defines "covered person" as a person engaged in journalism, including their supervisor, employer, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate. Excludes from the definition foreign powers and their agents and certain terrorist organizations and individuals. Defines "protected information" as information or records a covered person obtained as part of engaging in journalism on a promise of confidentiality. Requires the content of compelled testimony or documents to be limited and narrowly tailored. (Sec. 3) Exempts any information or item obtained as the result of the eyewitness observations of alleged criminal conduct or commitment of alleged criminal or tortious conduct by the covered person. (Sec. 4) Exempts protected information that is reasonably necessary to stop, prevent, or mitigate a specific case of death, kidnapping, or substantial bodily harm. (Sec. 5) Exempts any protected information that a federal court has found by a preponderance of the evidence would assist in preventing an act of terrorism, or other significant and articulable harm to national security that would outweigh the public interest in news gathering and maintaining a free flow of information to citizens. (Sec. 6) Applies this Act to communications service providers with regard to: (1) a communication to which a covered person is a party; (2) any document relating to such a communication; or (3) the contents of such a communication. Sets forth notice requirements. Permits a court to delay notice to a covered person upon determining that such notice would pose a substantial threat to the integrity of a criminal investigation. (Sec. 7) Declares that this Act does not supersede, dilute, or preclude any law or court decision compelling or not compelling disclosure by a covered person or communications service provider of information identifying a source who provided information without a confidentiality promise made as part of engaging in journalism or records, other information, or contents of a communication obtained without a confidentiality promise.

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate with amendment(s)), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Free Flow of Information Act of 2007

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate with amendment(s))

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA] · 20 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: S. 2035, Free Flow of Information Act of 2007 (2007-10-17); CBO cost estimate: S. 2035, Free Flow of Information Act of 2007 (2007-10-17)

Cosponsors on this site

Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Patty Murray (D-WA), Richard J. Durbin (D-IL)

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (1)
Securities
Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong110-s2035 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong110 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong110