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H.R. 3907: Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act of 2021

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H.R. 3907: Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act of 2021

117th Congress · introduced 2021-06-15 · Armed Forces and National Security · Latest: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, 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.

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Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2021-06-15 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, 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. 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

Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act of 2021

Plain summary

Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act of 2021 This bill imposes limits on the use of biometric surveillance systems, such as facial recognition systems, by federal and state government entities. A federal agency or official may not in an official capacity acquire, possess, or use in the United States any such system or information obtained by such a system unless Congress passes an act that specifically authorizes such a use. Such an act of Congress must contain certain provisions, such as provisions naming the specific authorized entity and auditing requirements relating to the system. Information obtained in violation of this bill shall not be admissible by the federal government in any proceeding or investigation, except in a proceeding alleging a violation of this bill. An individual aggrieved by a violation of these restrictions shall have the right to sue. Any state officer authorized to sue on behalf of the state's residents shall also have the right to sue on behalf of the state's aggrieved residents. A state or local government unit shall not receive certain federal law enforcement grants unless the government unit complies with a law or policy that is substantially similar to this bill's restrictions on acquiring and using biometric surveillance systems.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), 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

Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act of 2021

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Alternatives

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

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7] · 16 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), André Carson (D-IN), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7] reported raising $2.9 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (2)
Authorization
A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.
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).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong117-hr3907 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong117 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong117