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To provide for a right of action against Federal employees for violations of rights secured by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, and for other purposes.
Summary
This bill creates a private right to sue Federal employees (in the executive branch and independent agencies) who violate a person's First Amendment rights. A Federal employee acting under color of their official duties who deprives someone of First Amendment protections can be sued for damages in court. An exception prevents federal employees from suing their own employing agency or the Federal Government for conduct within the scope of their employment. Courts may award reasonable attorney's fees to the prevailing party (other than the United States) in cases brought under this act.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
- Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO] (R-MO)
Actions (2)
- Jan 9, 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. · senate
- Jan 9, 2025 Introduced in Senate
More bills on these subjects (8)
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Similar bills (6)
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Text versions (1)
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Full text
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 9, 2025
Mr. Schmitt introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To provide for a right of action against Federal employees for violations of rights secured by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Censorship Accountability Act”.
SEC. 2. RIGHT OF ACTION AGAINST FEDERAL EMPLOYEES FOR VIOLATIONS OF RIGHTS SECURED BY THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
(a) Definition.—In this section, the term “Federal employee” means an individual, other than the President or the Vice President, who occupies a position in any agency or instrumentality in the executive branch of the Federal Government, including in any independent agency in that branch.
(b) Liability.—
(1) In general.—A Federal employee who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of the United States, subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States or any person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress.
(2) Exception.—Under paragraph (1), a Federal employee may not bring suit against the agency or instrumentality employing the Federal employee, or against the Federal Government, for conduct that is within the scope of the employment relationship.
(c) Attorney’s Fees.—In any action or proceeding to enforce this section, the court, in the discretion of the court, may allow the prevailing party, other than the United States, a reasonable attorney’s fee as part of the costs.
(d) Severability.—If any provision of this section, or the application of a provision of this section to any person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this section, and the application of the provisions of this section to any person or circumstance, shall not be affected by that holding. <all>
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