PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4680)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Apr 23, 2009
Requires review by the Supreme Court of appeals of interlocutory or final judgments, decrees, or court orders challenging the legality or constitutionality of: (1) the President's Surveillance Program (Terrorist Surveillance Program); (2) certain statutory defenses for the protection of persons assisting the federal government with information, or access to it, including communication contents, communications records, or other information relating to a customer or communication; and (3) any intelligence activity involving communications that was authorized by the President during a specified period.
Requires the Supreme Court to advance on the docket any such appeal and expedite it to the greatest extent possible.
People & committees
Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA] · R–PA
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4680)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4679-4680)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze S.877 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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