War Crimes Disclosure Act - Requires disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act of any matter that relates to any individual who is listed in a Watch List as a participant in Nazi war crimes. Provides disclosure exceptions, such as for the protection of intelligence agents and informants or for compelling national security reasons. Requires disclosure of information that can be reasonably separated from excepted information. Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to provide that the exemption from public disclosure authorized under such Act for operational files of the Central Intelligence Agency shall not apply to information regarding Nazi war crimes participants.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S12401-12402)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S12401-12402)
Received in the Senate, read twice.
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10817-10819)
Mr. Horn moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 447.
Committee on Judiciary discharged.
Committee on Judiciary discharged.
Committee on Intelligence (Permanent) discharged.
Committee on Intelligence (Permanent) discharged.
House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 24, 1996.
House Committee on Intelligence (Permanent) Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 24, 1996.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Government Reform. H. Rept. 104-819, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Government Reform. H. Rept. 104-819, Part I.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Information and Technology.
Referred to the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), and the Judiciary, 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.
Referred to the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), and the Judiciary, 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.
Referred to the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), and the Judiciary, 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.
Referred to the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), and the Judiciary, 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.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Bill text & related measures
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Mar 23, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Neutral evidence review
Objective
Analyze H.R.1281 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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Fairness and public impact
Progressive lens
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Institutions and government scope
Conservative lens
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Individual rights and government power
Liberty lens
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