Overview
Title
To provide for joint reports by relevant Federal agencies to Congress regarding incidents of terrorism, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
This bill tells some special people in the government to work together to write a report whenever something bad called "terrorism" happens, sharing it with leaders and putting it online for everyone to see, but only if it doesn't mess up any detective work.
Summary AI
S. 848 aims to improve how the United States reports on incidents of terrorism by requiring key federal agencies to jointly provide unclassified reports to Congress after a terrorist act occurs. The reports must include details about the act, any security gaps found, and suggestions for preventing similar incidents in the future. Agencies must submit these reports within a year of concluding an investigation and make them available to the public online, though some information can be withheld if it could interfere with ongoing investigations. This requirement will last for five years after the bill becomes law.
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AnalysisAI
Summary of the Bill
The bill titled "Reporting Efficiently to Proper Officials in Response to Terrorism Act of 2025," or the "REPORT Act," is designed to ensure federal agencies report incidents of terrorism in the United States to Congress. It mandates that specific federal officials submit a report detailing the facts of the incident, identify security gaps, and recommend improvements to various congressional committees. The bill also allows for the submission of quarterly reports. Notably, it includes provisions for withholding sensitive information to avoid jeopardizing ongoing investigations and contains a sunset clause that terminates the Act five years after its enactment.
Summary of Significant Issues
Several issues arise within this legislation:
Delayed Reporting: The bill stipulates that reports are due a year after the conclusion of the investigation. This could delay the information, potentially diminishing its relevance.
Definition Ambiguity: The definition of "act of terrorism" references an external legal document, which could complicate comprehension for those not directly familiar with that document.
Withholding Criteria: The conditions under which information may be withheld to protect ongoing investigations lack clear specifications, which could lead to arbitrary decisions and undermine transparency.
Quarterly Report Guidelines: The bill does not clearly outline the procedure for combining reports into a quarterly submission, which could result in inconsistencies or information gaps.
Sunset Provision: Without a structured review process, the automatic termination of the Act in five years might prematurely end useful processes or extend ineffective measures.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, the Act may contribute to better-informed government responses to terrorism by closing information gaps and fostering improved coordination between agencies. However, delays in reporting could render some insights less timely for implementing immediate preventive measures. Additionally, the potential withholding of information might limit public understanding and transparency regarding terrorism incidents.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Government Agencies: The Act places clear reporting responsibilities on federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and the National Counterterrorism Center. These institutions might experience increased workloads related to compiling and submitting detailed reports to Congress. Ensuring these agencies have the resources for compliance is crucial.
Congress: By receiving these reports, Congress can gain insights into terrorism incidents and the effectiveness of current security measures. However, delays or gaps in reports may limit the quality of oversight and the timeliness of legislative responses.
Legal and Law Enforcement Professionals: The discretion to withhold sensitive information could protect ongoing investigations, potentially leading to more successful prosecutions. However, this discretion needs clear guidelines to prevent abuse and to maintain transparency.
The Public: While improved reporting may indirectly enhance national security, the public might perceive a lack of transparency if substantial information is withheld, potentially eroding trust in government communications.
In conclusion, the REPORT Act aims to enhance transparency and coordination in reporting terrorism incidents but faces challenges related to timeliness, comprehensibility, and accountability. Balancing these factors will be essential for realizing the bill's intended benefits.
Issues
The requirement in Section 2(b) to submit reports 'by not later than 1 year after the completion of the investigation' may significantly delay reporting about acts of terrorism, potentially making the information outdated and less relevant for decision-making purposes.
The definition of 'act of terrorism' in Section 2(a)(1) refers to an external legal document (section 3077(1) of title 18, United States Code), potentially requiring additional context for full comprehension by Congress and the public, which could hinder understanding and debate.
The criteria for withholding information in Section 2(d) when it could jeopardize an investigation are not clearly defined, leading to potential for arbitrary or inconsistent decisions, which may affect transparency and accountability.
In Section 2(b)(2), the lack of a specified method for determining the appropriateness of combining reports into a quarterly submission may lead to inconsistencies or omissions, possibly affecting the comprehensiveness and timeliness of the information provided.
The use of the phrase 'Nothing in this Act may be construed to provide...' in Section 2(f) might benefit from explicit examples to avoid misinterpretation, ensuring clarity regarding the limitations of the Act’s reach.
The sunset provision in Section 2(e) indicates the section will terminate in 5 years without an evaluation process to determine if it should be extended, which may mean valuable processes could end or, conversely, that ineffective measures might not be timely revised.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short titles Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section describes the short title of the Act, stating that it may be referred to as the “Reporting Efficiently to Proper Officials in Response to Terrorism Act of 2025” or simply the “REPORT Act”.
2. Duty to report Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
In this section, government officials are required to submit reports to certain congressional committees after an act of terrorism occurs in the United States. These reports must outline the facts about the act, identify security gaps, and suggest improvements, but some sensitive information can be omitted if it might harm ongoing investigations. This section will expire five years after it becomes law.