Of inquiry requesting the President to transmit certain documents relating to the use of insecure electronic communication platforms, including Signal, for official communications and to the compliance of the Administration with all Federal records laws.
This is a House Resolution of Inquiry (H. Res. 316) introduced in the 119th Congress. It directs the President to transmit, within 14 days of adoption, any unredacted documents in the President’s possession that relate to how the Administration uses certain electronic communication platforms (including Signal and others such as SMS, iMessage, WhatsApp, Teams, MatterMost, Slack, and Gmail) for official business and how federal recordkeeping laws are being complied with. The resolution seeks information on: (a) plans to preserve official communications for recordkeeping, especially those involving highly sensitive national security information; (b) use of these platforms on federal devices for official business, including handling of confidential information; (c) use of such platforms on personal devices for official business; and (d) plans or practices to ensure communications are not automatically deleted in violation of recordkeeping requirements. It is a non-binding measure aimed at increasing congressional oversight of how official communications are conducted and retained.
Key Points
- 1Purpose and mechanism: A House resolution of inquiry that asks the President to provide, within 14 days after adoption, all relevant documents in the President’s possession in complete and unredacted form.
- 2Scope of documents: Includes (1) plans to preserve official communications to comply with federal recordkeeping rules, including those containing highly sensitive national security information, when sent via specified platforms; (2) conduct of official business on federal devices using listed platforms and involving sensitive information; (3) conduct of official business on personal devices using listed platforms; (4) plans, procedures, guidance, or practices to prevent automatic deletion of official communications that could violate recordkeeping laws, including those involving highly sensitive information.
- 3Platforms covered: Signal, SMS, iMessage, WhatsApp, Teams, MatterMost, Slack, Gmail (and related communications).
- 4National security and recordkeeping focus: Emphasizes handling of highly sensitive national security information and compliance with federal recordkeeping requirements.
- 5Status and process: Introduced in the House, referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform; a non-binding tool for congressional oversight rather than a new law.