By Greg Bishop/Illinois Radio Network

TAYLORVILLE – Do you fear the federal government can access your email too easily? An effort in Washington aims to stop that.

The U.S. House passed a measure that requires government officials to get a warrant if they want to access citizens’ emails. U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, said the Electronic Communications Privacy Act hasn’t been updated since 1986.

“Long before you and I had ever sent an email, so, long overdue,” Davis said. “It needed to happen.”

Davis said the measure is meant to keep more than citizens’ emails safe from government overreach.

“The executive branch was accused of spying on the legislative branch over in the Senate,” Davis said. “I think every once in awhile we have to remind all branches of government our forefathers created us as equals. I would hope that we would never have a president, Republican or Democrat, that would take the civil liberties away from any individual whether you’re a member of Congress or an average citizen in Central Illinois.”

The measure passed this week without any “no” votes.

The measure also directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress disclosures of email customers’ communications and records. Davis said currently the government can access emails or text messages older than six months.