Senator introduces bill boosting protections for journalists after FBI search
Source: USA Today
Updated March 27, 2026, 10:47 a.m. ET
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, introduced a bill on March 27 that aims to boost protections for journalists in the wake of the FBI’s search of a Washington Post reporter’s home in January.
The bill, titled the “Privacy Protection Updates Act,” is intended to close "loopholes" in the Privacy Protection Act of 1980 that have “been abused by multiple presidential administrations,” including in the Jan. 14 raid, Wyden’s office said. The law generally requires the government to get a subpoena to obtain journalists’ work products. U.S. Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vermont, is sponsoring the House bill.
"A free press serves an essential role in our democracy, which is why it is protected by our Constitution," Balint said in a statement to USA TODAY. "We need to close the loopholes that have allowed administrations to strong-arm and intimidate journalists, and I am proud to work with Senator Wyden to do just that."
The FBI executed a search warrant at reporter Hannah Natanson’s Virginia home as part of an investigation into a government contractor accused of illegally retaining classified documents. Several of Natanson’s devices were seized in the raid, according to the news organization.
Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/03/27/democrat-senator-ron-wyden-journalists-fbi-search/89338733007/
Link to Sen. Wyden SENATE BILL - S.4268 - A bill to amend the Privacy Protection Act of 1980 to update and strengthen protections for newgathering records, and for other purposes.
Link to Rep. Balint HOUSE BILL - H.R.8093 - To amend the Privacy Protection Act of 1980 to update and strengthen protections for newsgathering records, and for other purposes.