PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 704.
Congressional Research Service
Version 07 · Reported to House · Sep 8, 2026
Congressional Records Protection Act of 2026
This bill generally prohibits the government from issuing a search warrant, grand jury subpoena, court order, statutory authorization, certification, subpoena, or an administrative order (i.e., executing legal process) that could reasonably return congressional records. Congressional records include (1) written materials and electronic or wire communications prepared by, shared with, or obtained by a Member of Congress or congressional employee in the course of official duties; and (2) records of an electronic or wire communications service related to accounts or certain communications of a Member of Congress or congressional employee.
The bill provides exceptions to the general prohibition. Specifically, the government may execute legal process that could reasonably return congressional records if (1) the subject of the process is the target of a criminal investigation, (2) the material sought pertains to a Member of Congress or congressional employee who is the target of a criminal investigation, or (3) the records are certain electronic or wire communications.
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If the government executes legal process under an exception that could reasonably return or that unexpectedly returns congressional records, then the bill generally requires the government to notify the Member of Congress or congressional employee and delay or halt review of the materials for 30 days.
If the legal process could reasonably return certain congressional records from an electronic or wire communications service provider, then the bill requires a special master to be appointed to identify materials that are constitutionally protected from disclosure.
People & committees
Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16] · R–PA
Legislative record
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Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 704.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-805.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-805.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 1.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Oct 31, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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