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119-hr-3651119th Congress

Protecting Our Protesters Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]

Introduced

Summary

Broadens federal criminal coverage of use-of-force during protest responses. This bill would amend 18 U.S.C. § 242 to explicitly cover force used in responses to protests and would eliminate the death penalty as a possible sentence under that law.

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  • Protesters and the public: Would make violent or excessive force used during a protest response explicitly subject to federal deprivation-of-rights charges, clarifying when federal law can apply.
  • Defendants and sentencing: Would remove the death penalty from § 242, so prosecutions under that statute could no longer seek capital punishment.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Accountability for protest force, lower penalties

If enacted, this bill would clarify federal civil rights law for protest responses. People acting under color of law, like police, could be charged for using force at protests. It would also remove the death penalty as a possible sentence under that law. These changes would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]

MN • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]

    MS • D

    Sponsored 5/29/2025

  • Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 5/29/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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