Contact Congress about S. 3918: Government Surveillance Transparency Act of 2026

The bill would require notice to people after many government searches or data requests. It would also limit how long surveillance court records can stay secret and require public online dockets and reports.

Modern Action explains what the legislation does, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

Government Surveillance Transparency Act of 2026 is a Senate bill committee Action. The latest recorded action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Latest action on S. 3918: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects people whose phones, accounts, devices, records, or communications are searched in criminal investigations. It also affects courts, law enforcement agencies, service providers, and state and Tribal court systems because they would have new notice, docketing, reporting, and technology duties.

Why this matters: Surveillance can affect people without them knowing it. This bill would usually require notice later, so people and defense lawyers can review what happened. It would also let the public see more about how often surveillance tools are used. At the same time, courts and agencies would have to handle new deadlines, reports, and technology systems.

Key provisions in S. 3918

• Creates a new chapter of federal law for criminal surveillance orders. It covers wiretaps, stored data orders, pen registers that record outgoing dialing information, trap-and-trace devices that record incoming routing information, tracking devices, some military and Tribal orders, and related help orders.
• Courts usually could not keep surveillance orders, applications, or inventories secret after the order is carried out or the surveillance ends. The government must show specific risks, such as danger to life, flight, destroyed evidence, witness intimidation, or serious harm to an investigation or trial.
• The first sealing period could last up to 180 days. The government could get one similar extension with a new harm statement. More extensions would need detailed facts and a review of whether redacting parts of the records would be enough.
• Courts would have to keep public docket records for surveillance matters. They must post them online as open government data that people can download in bulk, with details such as the legal power used, crime type, agency, requested time period, secrecy requests, delayed-notice requests, and the court's ruling.
• Courts would have to use automatic systems that unseal surveillance records when sealing ends. The system must alert the law enforcement agency that filed the case 10 business days before unsealing.

How Modern Action helps you take action on S. 3918

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about S. 3918

What is S. 3918?

The bill would require notice to people after many government searches or data requests. It would also limit how long surveillance court records can stay secret and require public online dockets and reports.

How do I support or oppose S. 3918?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about S. 3918?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

How does Modern Action help me act on S. 3918?

Modern Action gives you bill-specific context, lets you choose support, opposition, or changes, and drafts a message from your position and reasons.