A bill to provide for nationwide service of subpoenas in all suits involving the False Claims Act, and for other purposes.
Public Law 95-582 · H.R. 12393 · 95th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Jimmy Carter (D) on Nov 2, 1978 · Law
Sponsor: Rep. Peter Rodino (D-NJ-10)
Cosponsors: None
Passage votes
- HouseMethod not stated
- SenateMethod not stated
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Amends the False Claims Act to authorize nationwide service of subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses in suits under such Act.
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the seizure of any vessel, vehicle, or aircraft which is used to bring illegal aliens into the United States. Excepts vehicles from such seizure if the owner or master is not a consenting party or if such vehicle is in illegal possession of any person other than the owner.
Directs the Attorney General to promulgate regulations setting forth procedures for the prompt return to the owner of any such vehicle.
Provides that provisions of law relating to seizure of vehicles for violations of customs law shall apply to the unlawful bringing of aliens into the United States. Provides that proceedings under these provisions shall be subject to the Supplemental Rules of Certain Admiralty and Maritime Claims.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 13 actions.
- Nov 2, 1978Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- PresidentPresident · Public Law 95-582.
- Oct 25, 1978PresidentPresident · Measure presented to President.
- Oct 14, 1978PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in Senate.
- PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in House.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · House agreed to Senate amendment.
- Oct 13, 1978FloorFloor · Measure passed Senate, amended.
- CommitteeCommittee · Discharged from Senate Judiciary Committee
- Sep 19, 1978CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
- Sep 18, 1978FloorFloor · Measure passed House.
- Aug 7, 1978CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Judiciary Committee
- Apr 26, 1978CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Judiciary Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.