PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S10931-10932)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Dec 21, 2010
Espionage Statutes Modernization Act of 2010 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to five years on a covered individual who intentionally discloses, delivers, communicates, or transmits classified information, without authorization, knowing or having reason to know that such action is a violation of the terms of the classified information nondisclosure agreement entered into by such individual. Defines "covered individual" as an officer, employee, contractor, or consultant of a federal agency who agrees to be legally bound by the terms of a classified information nondisclosure agreement. Exempts from such prohibition disclosures made in accordance with a federal whistleblower protection statute or regulation.
Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review and, if appropriate, amend federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements applicable to a person convicted of an offense under this Act.
People & committees
Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD] · D–MD
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S10931-10932)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10930-10931)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze S.4051 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 S.4051 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 S.4051 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 S.4051 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.