Title 2 — The Congress
Part B · Chapter 65 — Senate Officers and Administration
§ 6628. Treatment of electronic services provided by Sergeant at Arms
Statutory text
In general
In this section—
the term “agent of the Office of the SAA” includes a provider of electronic communication service or remote computing service commissioned or used through the Office of the SAA by a Senate office to provide such services to the Senate office;
the term “electronic communication service” has the meaning given that term in section 2510 of title 18;
the term “Office of the SAA” means the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate;
the term “provider for a Senate office” means a provider of electronic communication service or remote computing service directly commissioned or used by a Senate office to provide such services;
the term “remote computing service” has the meaning given that term in section 2711 of title 18;
the term “Senate data”, with respect to a Senate office, means any electronic mail or other electronic or data communication, other data (including metadata), or other information of the Senate office; and
the term “Senate office” means a committee or office of the Senate, including a Senator, an officer of the Senate, or an employee of, intern at, or other agent of a committee or office of the Senate.
Treatment
Retaining possession
In general
A Senate office shall be deemed to retain possession of any Senate data of the Senate office, without regard to the use by the Senate office of any individual or entity described in paragraph (2) for the purposes of any function or service described in paragraph (2).
Rule of construction
Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed to limit the use by an intended recipient of any Senate data from a Senate office.
Sergeant at Arms and providers for a Senate office
The Office of the SAA, any officer, employee, or agent of the Office of the SAA, and any provider for a Senate office shall not be treated as acquiring possession, custody, or control of any Senate data by reason of its being transmitted, processed, or stored (whether temporarily or otherwise) through the use of an electronic system established, maintained, or operated, or the use of electronic services provided, in whole or in part by the Office of the SAA, the officer, employee, or agent of the Office of the SAA, or the provider for the Senate office.
Notification
Notwithstanding any other provision of law or rule of civil or criminal procedure, the Office of the SAA, any officer, employee, or agent of the Office of the SAA, and any provider for a Senate office that is providing services to or used by a Senate office shall not be barred, through operation of any court order or any statutory provision, from notifying the Senate office of any legal process seeking disclosure of Senate data of the Senate office that is transmitted, processed, or stored (whether temporarily or otherwise) through the use of an electronic system established, maintained, or operated, or the use of electronic services provided, in whole or in part by the Office of the SAA, the officer, employee, or agent of the Office of the SAA, or the provider for a Senate office.
Motions to quash or modify
Upon a motion made promptly by a Senate office or provider for a Senate office, a court of competent jurisdiction shall quash or modify any legal process directed to the provider for a Senate office if compliance with the legal process would require the disclosure of Senate data of the Senate office.
Information regarding implications of using providers
The Office of the SAA, in consultation with the Senate Legal Counsel, shall provide information to each Senate office that commissions or uses a provider of electronic communication service or remote computing service to provide such services to the Senate office regarding the potential constitutional implications and the potential impact on privileges that may be asserted by the Senate office.
Applicable privileges
Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or supersede any applicable privilege, immunity, or other objection that may apply to the disclosure of Senate data.
Preemption
Except as provided in this section, any provision of law or rule of civil or criminal procedure of any State, political subdivision, or agency thereof, which is inconsistent with this section shall be deemed to be preempted and superseded.
Effective date
This section shall apply to fiscal year 2005 and each fiscal year thereafter.
Legislative history
Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2005
Pub. L. 108–447 div. G title I § 10 · 118 Stat. 2809
Enacted · 2 U.S.C. § 6628
Pub. L. 108–447, div. G, title I, § 10, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3170
Source evidence
Code source credit
Pub. L. 108–447, div. G, title I, § 10, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3170Enacted provision · exact public law section
Sec. 10. Treatment of Electronic Services Provided by Sergeant at Arms. The Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the United States Senate, and any officer, employee, or agent of the Office, shall not be treated as acquiring possession, custody, or control of any electronic mail or other electronic communication, data, or information by reason of its being transmitted, processed, or stored (whether temporarily or otherwise) through the use of an electronic system established, maintained, or operated, or the use of electronic services provided, in whole or in part by the Office.Pub. L. 109–289 § 20701(c)(1) · 121 Stat. 38
Added · 2 U.S.C. § 6628
Pub. L. 109–289, § 20701(c)(1), as added by Pub. L. 110–5
Amended · 2 U.S.C. § 6628
Pub. L. 109–289, § 20701(c)(1), as designated existing provisions as subsec. (a)
Inserted · 2 U.S.C. § 6628
Pub. L. 109–289, § 20701(c)(1), as inserted heading
Added · 2 U.S.C. § 6628
Pub. L. 109–289, § 20701(c)(1), as added subsec. (b)
Unresolved: Pub. L. 109–289 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 109–289, § 20701(c)(1), as added by Pub. L. 110–5, designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added subsec. (b).Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2021
Pub. L. 116–260 div. FF title IV § 401(a) · 134 Stat. 1182
Added · 2 U.S.C. § 6628
Pub. L. 116–260 added subsecs. (a) to (g)
Redesignated · 2 U.S.C. § 6628
Pub. L. 116–260 redesignated former subsec. (b) as (h)
Struck · 2 U.S.C. § 6628
Pub. L. 116–260 struck out former subsec. (a). Prior to amendment, text of subsec. (a) read as follows: “The Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the United States Senate, and any officer, employee, or agent of the Office, shall not be treated as acquiring possession, custody, or control of any electronic mail or other electronic communication, data, or information by reason of its being transmitted, processed, or stored (whether temporarily or otherwise) through the use of an electronic system established, maintained, or operated, or the use of electronic services provided, in whole or in part by the Office.”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 116–260 added subsecs. (a) to (g), redesignated former subsec. (b) as (h), and struck out former subsec. (a). Prior to amendment, text of subsec. (a) read as follows: “The Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the United States Senate, and any officer, employee, or agent of the Office, shall not be treated as acquiring possession, custody, or control of any electronic mail or other electronic communication, data, or information by reason of its being transmitted, processed, or stored (whether temporarily or otherwise) through the use of an electronic system established, maintained, or operated, or the use of electronic services provided, in whole or in part by the Office.”Enacted provision · exact public law section
Sec. 401. The Compliance. Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall comply with the July 5, 2011, version of Chapter VI of its Internal Commission Procedures when responding to Congressional requests for information, consistent with Department of Justice guidance for all Federal agencies.Effective date note
Pub. L. 116–260, div. FF, title IV, § 401(b), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 3135, provided that:Pub. L. 119–37 § 213(a)(1)(B) · 139 Stat. 585
Added · 2 U.S.C. § 6628(a)(2); 2 U.S.C. § 6628(a)(3)
Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(1)(B), (C), which added par. (2) defining “covered data”
Redesignated · 2 U.S.C. § 6628(a)(2); 2 U.S.C. § 6628(a)(3)
Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(1)(B), (C), which redesignated former par. (2) as (3), was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, § 105
Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–37 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (a)(2), (3). Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(1)(B), (C), which added par. (2) defining “covered data” and redesignated former par. (2) as (3), was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, § 105.Pub. L. 119–37 § 213(a)(1)(A) · 139 Stat. 585
Added · 2 U.S.C. § 6628(a)(4)(7)
Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(1)(A), (D), which added par. (4) defining “legal process”and
Redesignated · 2 U.S.C. § 6628(a)(4)(7)
Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(1)(A), (D), which redesignated former pars. (3) to (5) as (5) to (7), respectively, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, § 105
Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–37 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (a)(4) to (7). Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(1)(A), (D), which added par. (4) defining “legal process”and redesignated former pars. (3) to (5) as (5) to (7), respectively, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, § 105.Pub. L. 119–37 § 213(a)(1)(A) · 139 Stat. 585
Redesignated · 2 U.S.C. § 6628(a)(8)
Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(1)(A), (E), which redesignated par. (6) as (8), struck it out
Repealed · 2 U.S.C. § 6628(a)(8)
Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(1)(A), (E), which added a new par. (8) defining “Senate data”, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, § 105
Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–37 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(1)(A), (E), which redesignated par. (6) as (8), struck it out, and added a new par. (8) defining “Senate data”, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, § 105.Pub. L. 119–37 § 213(a)(1)(A) · 139 Stat. 585
Redesignated · 2 U.S.C. § 6628(a)(9)
Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(1)(A), (F), which redesignated par. (7) as (9)
Inserted · 2 U.S.C. § 6628(a)(9)
Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(1)(A), (F), which inserted “(without regard to whether the Senator is acting in his or her official capacity, including acting in a personal capacity and acting through his or her campaign for elected office)” after “a Senator” and “(whether acting in his or her personal or official capacity)” after “an officer of the Senate”
Repealed · 2 U.S.C. § 6628(a)(9)
Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(1)(A), (F), which substituted “(whether acting in his or her personal or official capacity); and” for period at end, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, § 105
Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–37 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(1)(A), (F), which redesignated par. (7) as (9), inserted “(without regard to whether the Senator is acting in his or her official capacity, including acting in a personal capacity and acting through his or her campaign for elected office)” after “a Senator” and “(whether acting in his or her personal or official capacity)” after “an officer of the Senate”, and substituted “(whether acting in his or her personal or official capacity); and” for period at end, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, § 105.Pub. L. 119–37 § 213(a)(1)(G) · 139 Stat. 585
Repealed · 2 U.S.C. § 6628(a)(10)
Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(1)(G), which added par. (10) defining “target of a criminal investigation”, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, § 105
Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–37 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (a)(10). Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(1)(G), which added par. (10) defining “target of a criminal investigation”, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, § 105.Pub. L. 119–37 § 213(a)(3) · 139 Stat. 585
Added · 2 U.S.C. § 6628(c)
Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(3), which added subsec. (c) relating to notification by providers and the Office of the SAA of legal processes seeking disclosure of Senate data
Repealed · 2 U.S.C. § 6628(c)
Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(3), which struck out former subsec. (c), was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, § 105
Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–37 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(3), which added subsec. (c) relating to notification by providers and the Office of the SAA of legal processes seeking disclosure of Senate data, and struck out former subsec. (c), was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, § 105.Pub. L. 119–37 § 213(a)(3) · 139 Stat. 585
Repealed · 2 U.S.C. § 6628(d)
Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(3), which added subsec. (d) relating to allowing Senators to bring a civil action against the United States and obtain relief for certain disclosures of Senate data, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, § 105
Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–37 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(3), which added subsec. (d) relating to allowing Senators to bring a civil action against the United States and obtain relief for certain disclosures of Senate data, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, § 105.Pub. L. 119–37 § 213(a)(2) · 139 Stat. 585
Redesignated · 2 U.S.C. § 6628(e)(i)
Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(2), which redesignated subsecs. (d) to (h) as (e) to (i), respectively, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, § 105
Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–37 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsecs. (e) to (i). Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(2), which redesignated subsecs. (d) to (h) as (e) to (i), respectively, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, § 105.Pub. L. 119–75 § 105 · 140 Stat. 629
Repealed · 2 U.S.C. § 6628
Pub. L. 119–75, § 105, repealed section 213 of title II of div. C of Pub. L. 119–37 and provided that the amendments made by that section shall have no force or effect. See 2025 Amendment notes below
Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–75 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 119–75, § 105, repealed section 213 of title II of div. C of Pub. L. 119–37 and provided that the amendments made by that section shall have no force or effect. See 2025 Amendment notes below.
4 of 23 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 19 unresolved
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was formerly classified to section 61f–12 of this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.
Section is from the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2005, which is div. G of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005.
Amendments2007–2026 · 4 rounds
2026
Pub. L. 119–75, § 105, repealed section 213 of title II of div. C of Pub. L. 119–37 and provided that the amendments made by that section shall have no force or effect. See 2025 Amendment notes below.
2025
Subsec. (a)(2), (3). Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(1)(B), (C), which added par. (2) defining “covered data” and redesignated former par. (2) as (3), was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, § 105.
Subsec. (a)(4) to (7). Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(1)(A), (D), which added par. (4) defining “legal process”and redesignated former pars. (3) to (5) as (5) to (7), respectively, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, § 105.
Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(1)(A), (E), which redesignated par. (6) as (8), struck it out, and added a new par. (8) defining “Senate data”, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, § 105.
Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(1)(A), (F), which redesignated par. (7) as (9), inserted “(without regard to whether the Senator is acting in his or her official capacity, including acting in a personal capacity and acting through his or her campaign for elected office)” after “a Senator” and “(whether acting in his or her personal or official capacity)” after “an officer of the Senate”, and substituted “(whether acting in his or her personal or official capacity); and” for period at end, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, § 105.
Subsec. (a)(10). Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(1)(G), which added par. (10) defining “target of a criminal investigation”, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, § 105.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(3), which added subsec. (c) relating to notification by providers and the Office of the SAA of legal processes seeking disclosure of Senate data, and struck out former subsec. (c), was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, § 105.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(3), which added subsec. (d) relating to allowing Senators to bring a civil action against the United States and obtain relief for certain disclosures of Senate data, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, § 105.
Subsecs. (e) to (i). Pub. L. 119–37, § 213(a)(2), which redesignated subsecs. (d) to (h) as (e) to (i), respectively, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, § 105.
2020
Pub. L. 116–260 added subsecs. (a) to (g), redesignated former subsec. (b) as (h), and struck out former subsec. (a). Prior to amendment, text of subsec. (a) read as follows: “The Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the United States Senate, and any officer, employee, or agent of the Office, shall not be treated as acquiring possession, custody, or control of any electronic mail or other electronic communication, data, or information by reason of its being transmitted, processed, or stored (whether temporarily or otherwise) through the use of an electronic system established, maintained, or operated, or the use of electronic services provided, in whole or in part by the Office.”
2007
Pub. L. 109–289, § 20701(c)(1), as added by Pub. L. 110–5, designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added subsec. (b).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2020 Amendment
Pub. L. 116–260, div. FF, title IV, § 401(b), , 134 Stat. 3135, provided that:
“(1) In this subsection, the terms ‘Senate data’ and ‘Senate office’ have the meanings given such terms in section 10 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2005 [2 U.S.C. 6628], as amended by subsection (a) of this section.
“(2) The amendments made by this section shall—
“(A) take effect as though included in the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2005 (division G of Public Law 108–447; 118 Stat. 3166); and
“(B) apply with respect to—
“(i) any legal process seeking disclosure of Senate data of a Senate office that is filed, issued, or made on or after the date of enactment of this Act []; and
“(ii) any matter that is pending on or after the date of enactment of this Act that relates to legal process described in clause (i) that is filed, issued, or made before the date of enactment of this Act, unless the Senate data of the Senate office was disclosed in accordance with such legal process before the date of enactment of this Act.”
Effective Date of 2007 Amendment
Pub. L. 109–289, div. B, title II, § 20701(c)(2), as added by Pub. L. 110–5, § 2, , 121 Stat. 38, provided that: “The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section] shall take effect as though included in the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2005 [Pub. L. 108–447, div. G].”
Limited Retroactive Applicability
Pub. L. 119–37, div. C, title II, § 213(b), , 139 Stat. 589, which allowed for limited retroactive applicability of the amendments made by section 213(a) of Pub. L. 119–37, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–75, div. H, § 105, , 140 Stat. 629.
Credits
2004–2026 · 5 acts
- 2004Pub. L. 108–447, div. G, title I, § 10, , 118 Stat. 3170
- 2007Pub. L. 109–289, div. B, title II, § 20701(c)(1), as added Pub. L. 110–5, § 2, , 121 Stat. 38
- 2020Pub. L. 116–260, div. FF, title IV, § 401(a), , 134 Stat. 3134
- 2025Pub. L. 119–37, div. C, title II, § 213(a), , 139 Stat. 585
- 2026Pub. L. 119–75, div. H, § 105, , 140 Stat. 629.
Show as published
(Pub. L. 108–447, div. G, title I, § 10, , 118 Stat. 3170; Pub. L. 109–289, div. B, title II, § 20701(c)(1), as added Pub. L. 110–5, § 2, , 121 Stat. 38; Pub. L. 116–260, div. FF, title IV, § 401(a), , 134 Stat. 3134; Pub. L. 119–37, div. C, title II, § 213(a), , 139 Stat. 585; Pub. L. 119–75, div. H, § 105, , 140 Stat. 629.)