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H.R. 4989: Protecting Diplomats from Surveillance Through Consumer Devices Act

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H.R. 4989: Protecting Diplomats from Surveillance Through Consumer Devices Act

115th Congress · introduced 2018-02-08 · International Affairs · Latest: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 705.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2018-02-08 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 335 (2018): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, HR4989 (2018-07-17), Passed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 705. 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

Protecting Diplomats from Surveillance Through Consumer Devices Act

Plain summary

Protecting Diplomats from Surveillance Through Consumer Devices Act This bill directs the Department of State to: (1) establish a policy on the use of location-tracking consumer devices, including GPS-enabled devices, at U.S. diplomatic and consular facilities by U.S. government employees, contractors, locally employed staff, and members of other agencies deployed to or stationed at such facilities; and (2) submit a related report to Congress. Existing and new employees at such facilities shall, as a part of their security briefings, be informed of such policy and given instructions on the use of location-tracking consumer devices on and off facility premises. The State Department may coordinate policy formulation with other agencies whose employees are deployed to or stationed at U.S. diplomatic and consular facilities.

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate without amendment), 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

Protecting Diplomats from Surveillance Through Consumer Devices Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate without amendment)

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The strongest published arguments

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

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20] · 5 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 4989, Protecting Diplomats from Surveillance Through Consumer Devices Act (2018-06-13)

Cosponsors on this site

Michael T. McCaul (R-TX), Dina Titus (D-NV), Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Brad Sherman (D-CA)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20] reported raising $592,416 (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (2)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
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-cong115-hr4989 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115