Bills · HR 7220
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 7220Government Operations and Politics
COINTELPRO Full Disclosure Act
INTRO JAN 22· LAST ACTION JAN 22
READING
28MIN
COSPONSORS
3BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it addresses a fundamental principle of government accountability and transparency. The COINTELPRO program involved controversial domestic intelligence operations by the FBI that targeted various political organizations and individuals, often violating civil liberties. If this bill becomes law, it would provide a more complete and official historical record of these actions, allowing the public to understand the extent and impact of past government surveillance and disruption tactics.
Without this bill, many of these historical records might remain secret for much longer, or indefinitely, preventing a full accounting of government conduct. By opening these files, the bill aims to prevent similar abuses in the future, offer a measure of justice or understanding to those affected, and foster public trust in government by demonstrating a commitment to transparency even regarding difficult periods of history. It's about knowing what your government did in the past to ensure democratic principles are upheld today and tomorrow.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires government offices to publicly disclose COINTELPRO records within six months of the bill becoming law.
This provision ensures a rapid initial release of historical documents, increasing immediate government transparency.
PROVISION 02
Establishes a COINTELPRO Records Collection at the National Archives for all disclosed records.
This creates a central, accessible, and permanent repository for these historical documents for public and scholarly use.
PROVISION 03
Creates a COINTELPRO Records Review Board to review records that government offices want to keep secret.
This independent board acts as a check on government offices' decisions to withhold information, promoting greater disclosure.
PROVISION 04
Mandates full disclosure of all remaining COINTELPRO records 25 years after enactment, unless specific high-level exemptions are approved.
This ensures that most records will eventually become public, setting a long-term goal for comprehensive transparency.
PROVISION 05
Requires government entities to provide notice at least seven days before a COINTELPRO record is publicly disclosed.
This acknowledges the potential impact on victims and their families, allowing them to prepare for the release of sensitive information.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 3
D· Pennsylvania
YRS IN OFFICE
3
BILLS LED
24
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 67%
DEM 2 REP 1 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 22
Introduced in House
JAN 22
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 7220
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 22, 2026
Last actionJan 22, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 22, 2026
House BillHR 7220Government Operations and Politics
COINTELPRO Full Disclosure Act
INTRODUCED JAN 22, 2026· LAST ACTION JAN 22, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
28 min
COSPONSORS
3
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
