PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 428.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 2, 2007
Free Flow of Information Act of 2007 - Prohibits a federal entity (an entity or employee of the judicial or executive branch or an administrative agency) from compelling a covered person (a person engaged in journalism, including their supervisor, employer, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate) to testify or produce any document unless a court makes specified determinations by a preponderance of the evidence.
Requires the content of compelled testimony or documents to be limited and narrowly tailored.
Applies this Act to communications service providers with regard to testimony or any record, information, or other communication that relates to a business transaction between such providers and covered persons. 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.
People & committees
Rep. Boucher, Rick [D-VA-9] · D–VA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 428.
Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 398 - 21 (Roll no. 973).
House roll call 973 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 398 - 21 (Roll no. 973).
House roll call 973 · Individual votesOn motion to recommit with instructions Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 388 - 33 (Roll no. 972). (text: CR H11601)
House roll call 972 · Individual votesThe previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H11601-11602; text: CR H11601)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Smith (TX) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the bill back to the House with an amendment regarding authority to consider national security interest.
Mr. Smith (TX) moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H11601)
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 742, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Boucher amendment.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2102.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2102 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill shall be considered as adopted.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 742. (consideration: CR H11587-11603; text of measure as introduced: CR H11587-11588; text of measure as reported in House: CR H11588-11589)
Rule H. Res. 742 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 742 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2102 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill shall be considered as adopted.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 229.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 110-370.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 110-370.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Committee Hearings Held.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.2102 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.
Examine H.R.2102 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.2102 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.2102 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.