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Public Law110th CongressArmed Forces and National Security
S. 1927Became Law

Protect America Act of 2007

This bill became law

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What it doesSummary public law (Aug 5, 2007)

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on August 3, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Protect America Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to state that nothing under its definition of "electronic surveillance" shall be construed to encompass surveillance directed at a person reasonably believed to be located outside the United States.

Allows the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and the Attorney General (AG), for periods up to one year, to authorize the acquisition of foreign intelligence information concerning persons outside the United States if the DNI and AG determine that: (1) there are reasonable procedures in place for determining that such acquisition concerns persons outside the United States, and such procedures will be subject to review by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (Court); (2) the acquisition does not constitute electronic surveillance; (3) the acquisition involves obtaining foreign intelligence information from or with the assistance of a communication service provider or other person who has access to communications; (4) a significant purpose of the acquisition is to obtain foreign intelligence information; and (5) the minimization procedures (procedures to ensure the smallest level of privacy intrusion while obtaining such information) to be used meet the definition of minimization procedures under FISA. Requires such determination to be certified and submitted to the Court.

Requires the AG to report to: (1) the Court the procedures by which the government determines that such acquisitions do not constitute electronic surveillance; and (2) the congressional intelligence and judiciary committees semiannually concerning acquisitions made during the previous six-month period.

Terminates this Act 180 days after its enactment. Makes authorizations for the acquisition of information made by this Act, and directives issued pursuant to such authorizations, effective until their expiration.

What just happenedSep 25, 2007

Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.

Who’s behind it

Sen. McConnell, Mitch [R-KY](R-KY)Sponsor
1 cosponsor1 R
Read on Congress.gov
1cosponsors1committees24actions1amendments2related bills16subjects
  1. Sep 25, 2007Committee

    Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.

    Judiciary Committee
  2. Aug 5, 2007PresidentE40000

    Became Public Law No: 110-55.

  3. Aug 5, 2007BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 110-55.

  4. Aug 5, 2007PresidentE30000

    Signed by President.

  5. Aug 5, 2007BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  6. Aug 5, 2007FloorE20000

    Presented to President.

  7. Aug 5, 2007President28000

    Presented to President.

  8. Aug 4, 2007

    Cleared for White House.

  9. Aug 4, 2007FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  10. Aug 4, 2007FloorH37100

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 227 - 183 (Roll no. 836). (text: CR H9953-9954)

  11. Aug 4, 2007Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 227 - 183 (Roll no. 836).(text: CR H9953-9954)

  12. Aug 4, 2007FloorH35000

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to a previous order of the House. (consideration: CR H9965)

  13. Aug 4, 2007FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to a previous special order, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on S. 1927.

  14. Aug 4, 2007FloorH30000

    Considered pursuant to a previous order.

  15. Aug 4, 2007FloorH30800

    Consideration initiated pursuant to a previous order. (consideration: CR H9952-9966)

  16. Aug 4, 2007FloorH15000

    Held at the desk.

  17. Aug 4, 2007FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  18. Aug 3, 2007Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  19. Aug 3, 2007Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 60 - 28. Record Vote Number: 309. (text: CR S10871-10872)

  20. Aug 3, 2007Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 60 - 28. Record Vote Number: 309.(text: CR S10871-10872)

  21. Aug 3, 2007Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S10861-10872)

  22. Aug 2, 2007Calendars

    Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 324.

  23. Aug 1, 2007Calendars

    Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.

  24. Aug 1, 2007IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Public LawAug 5, 200749

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on August 3, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Protect America Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to state that nothing under its definition of "electronic surveillance" shall be construed to encompass surveillance directed at a person reasonably believed to be located outside the United States.

Allows the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and the Attorney General (AG), for periods up to one year, to authorize the acquisition of foreign intelligence information concerning persons outside the United States if the DNI and AG determine that: (1) there are reasonable procedures in place for determining that such acquisition concerns persons outside the United States, and such procedures will be subject to review by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (Court); (2) the acquisition does not constitute electronic surveillance; (3) the acquisition involves obtaining foreign intelligence information from or with the assistance of a communication service provider or other person who has access to communications; (4) a significant purpose of the acquisition is to obtain foreign intelligence information; and (5) the minimization procedures (procedures to ensure the smallest level of privacy intrusion while obtaining such information) to be used meet the definition of minimization procedures under FISA. Requires such determination to be certified and submitted to the Court.

Requires the AG to report to: (1) the Court the procedures by which the government determines that such acquisitions do not constitute electronic surveillance; and (2) the congressional intelligence and judiciary committees semiannually concerning acquisitions made during the previous six-month period.

Terminates this Act 180 days after its enactment. Makes authorizations for the acquisition of information made by this Act, and directives issued pursuant to such authorizations, effective until their expiration.

Passed House amendedAug 4, 200736

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on August 3, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Protect America Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to state that nothing under its definition of "electronic surveillance" shall be construed to encompass surveillance directed at a person reasonably believed to be located outside the United States.

Allows the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and the Attorney General (AG), for periods up to one year, to authorize the acquisition of foreign intelligence information concerning persons outside the United States if the DNI and AG determine that: (1) there are reasonable procedures in place for determining that such acquisition concerns persons outside the United States, and such procedures will be subject to review by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (Court); (2) the acquisition does not constitute electronic surveillance; (3) the acquisition involves obtaining foreign intelligence information from or with the assistance of a communication service provider or other person who has access to communications; (4) a significant purpose of the acquisition is to obtain foreign intelligence information; and (5) the minimization procedures (procedures to ensure the smallest level of privacy intrusion while obtaining such information) to be used meet the definition of minimization procedures under FISA. Requires such determination to be certified and submitted to the Court.

Requires the AG to report to: (1) the Court the procedures by which the government determines that such acquisitions do not constitute electronic surveillance; and (2) the congressional intelligence and judiciary committees semiannually concerning acquisitions made during the previous six-month period.

Terminates this Act 180 days after its enactment. Makes authorizations for the acquisition of information made by this Act, and directives issued pursuant to such authorizations, effective until their expiration.

Passed Senate amendedAug 3, 200735

Protect America Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to state that nothing under its definition of "electronic surveillance" shall be construed to encompass surveillance directed at a person reasonably believed to be located outside the United States.

Allows the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and the Attorney General (AG), for periods up to one year, to authorize the acquisition of foreign intelligence information concerning persons outside the United States if the DNI and AG determine that: (1) there are reasonable procedures in place for determining that such acquisition concerns persons outside the United States, and such procedures will be subject to review by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (Court); (2) the acquisition does not constitute electronic surveillance; (3) the acquisition involves obtaining foreign intelligence information from or with the assistance of a communication service provider or other person who has access to communications; (4) a significant purpose of the acquisition is to obtain foreign intelligence information; and (5) the minimization procedures (procedures to ensure the smallest level of privacy intrusion while obtaining such information) to be used meet the definition of minimization procedures under FISA. Requires such determination to be certified and submitted to the Court.

Requires the AG to report to: (1) the Court the procedures by which the government determines that such acquisitions do not constitute electronic surveillance; and (2) the congressional intelligence and judiciary committees semiannually concerning acquisitions made during the previous six-month period.

Terminates this Act 180 days after its enactment. Makes authorizations for the acquisition of information made by this Act, and directives issued pursuant to such authorizations, effective until their expiration.

Introduced in SenateAug 1, 200700

Protect America Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to state that nothing under its definition of "electronic surveillance" shall be construed to encompass surveillance directed at a person reasonably believed to be located outside the United States.

Allows the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and the Attorney General (AG), for periods up to one year, to authorize the acquisition of foreign intelligence information concerning persons outside the United States if the DNI and AG determine that: (1) there are reasonable procedures in place for determining that such acquisition concerns persons outside the United States, and such procedures will be subject to review by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (Court); (2) the acquisition does not constitute electronic surveillance; (3) the acquisition involves obtaining foreign intelligence information from or with the assistance of a communication service provider or other person who has access to communications; (4) a significant purpose of the acquisition is to obtain foreign intelligence information; and (5) the minimization procedures (procedures to ensure the smallest level of privacy intrusion while obtaining such information) to be used meet the definition of minimization procedures under FISA. Requires such determination to be certified and submitted to the Court.

Requires the AG to report to: (1) the Court the procedures by which the government determines that such acquisitions do not constitute electronic surveillance; and (2) the congressional intelligence and judiciary committees semiannually concerning acquisitions made during the previous six-month period.