First Amendment Accountability Act
Sponsored By: Representative Hageman
Introduced
Summary
Creates a private right of action against federal employees for First Amendment violations. It would let people sue individual federal officials who, under any federal law, regulation, custom, or usage, cause a deprivation of First Amendment rights.
Show full summary
- Members of the public would gain a route to seek redress in court when a federal employee allegedly violates their free speech or related First Amendment rights.
- Federal employees, excluding the President and the Vice President, could face personal liability in lawsuits and courts may award attorney's fees to prevailing private parties.
- Federal employers and the United States would not be subject to suits brought by federal employees for conduct that falls within the employee's scope of employment.
- The bill includes a severability clause so remaining provisions stay in effect if a court strikes down part of the law.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Sue federal officials for speech violations
If enacted, this bill would let you sue a federal employee for violating your First Amendment rights. The person must be using federal authority and work in an executive-branch agency, including independent agencies. The President and Vice President would not be covered. You could ask the court for money or other legal orders. Judges could also award reasonable attorney's fees to the winner, other than the United States. This would apply to U.S. citizens and anyone within U.S. jurisdiction.
Limits on federal workers' lawsuits
If enacted, federal employees would be barred from suing the federal government or their agency for actions done within their job duties. This would apply only when the conduct was within the scope of employment. It would narrow workplace legal claims for federal workers.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Hageman
WY • R
Cosponsors
Greene (GA)
GA • R
Sponsored 1/3/2025
Massie
KY • R
Sponsored 1/3/2025
Nehls
TX • R
Sponsored 1/3/2025
Cloud
TX • R
Sponsored 1/3/2025
Crane
AZ • R
Sponsored 1/3/2025
Brecheen
OK • R
Sponsored 1/3/2025
Ogles
TN • R
Sponsored 1/3/2025
Cline
VA • R
Sponsored 1/3/2025
Moore (AL)
AL • R
Sponsored 1/3/2025
Donalds
FL • R
Sponsored 1/9/2025
Van Drew
NJ • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Tiffany
WI • R
Sponsored 2/5/2025
Harris (NC)
NC • R
Sponsored 2/10/2025
Gosar
AZ • R
Sponsored 10/28/2025
Steube
FL • R
Sponsored 11/4/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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