New REPORT Act Mandates Public Reports on U.S. Terrorist Acts, Sunsets in 2030

The "Reporting Efficiently to Proper Officials in Response to Terrorism Act of 2025," or REPORT Act, is pretty straightforward: it forces top federal agencies to publicly report on terrorist acts that happen on U.S. soil. This isn't some vague promise – the bill spells out exactly who has to report, what needs to be in those reports, and when they're due.

Decoding the REPORT Act

The core of the REPORT Act (SEC. 2) is about making sure Congress and the public get a clear picture of terrorist incidents in the United States. Within one year of wrapping up an investigation, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Attorney General, the FBI Director, and the head of the National Counterterrorism Center must submit a joint, unclassified report. These reports go to specific congressional committees and, importantly, get posted on a public website. Think of it like this: if a terrorist attack happens, the government has to tell us what happened, what security holes they found, and what they recommend to fix them.

Real-World Breakdown

So, what does this look like in practice? Let's say there's a bombing at a local marathon. Under this law, the relevant agencies investigate. Once that's done, they have a year to produce a public report detailing the facts, identifying any security lapses (maybe bag checks were insufficient, or intelligence wasn't shared properly), and suggesting improvements. These could range from better screening protocols at events to changes in how agencies share information. This is useful for everyone from event organizers to local law enforcement.

The bill also requires these reports to identify security gaps and recommend additional measures to improve security, including potential law enforcement or legal changes. This could mean anything from suggesting new technology for detecting explosives to recommending changes in surveillance laws. It's about learning from each incident and trying to prevent future ones. For instance, imagine a cyberattack shuts down a power grid. The report might recommend tougher cybersecurity standards for critical infrastructure, potentially impacting utility companies and tech providers.

The Fine Print (and Potential Hitches)

There's a catch, though (SEC. 2(d)). Agencies can withhold information if they think it will mess up an ongoing investigation or prosecution. They have to notify Congress if they do this, but it's still a potential loophole. It's a balancing act between transparency and the need to, you know, actually catch the bad guys. The language here is important: "jeopardize an ongoing investigation or prosecution." That's a broad term that could be open to interpretation.

Another key detail: the whole thing sunsets in five years (SEC. 2(e)). That means the law expires unless Congress renews it. This is common in legislation – it forces lawmakers to revisit the issue and see if the law is actually working.

The Big Picture

This bill fits into the larger context of government oversight and national security. It builds on existing laws defining "act of terrorism" (referenced in SEC. 2(a)). It's also worth noting that the National Counterterrorism Center doesn't get any new powers to investigate or prosecute (SEC. 2(f)) – this is purely about reporting.

Overall, the REPORT Act aims for transparency and accountability in how the government handles terrorism. It could lead to better security measures and a more informed public, but the effectiveness will depend on how agencies use that "jeopardize" clause and whether Congress decides to keep the law on the books past 2030.