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119-s-3187119th Congress

Bivens Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a civil remedy for rights violations by federal actors. This bill would amend 42 U.S.C. 1983 by inserting "of the United States" so the law that now covers state actors could also apply to people acting under federal authority.

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  • Individuals harmed by someone acting under federal authority would be able to bring a civil action under 42 U.S.C. 1983 to seek damages or other relief.
  • People acting under federal authority would be subject to the same 42 U.S.C. 1983 claims that currently apply to state actors.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More ability to sue federal officers

If enacted, this bill would let you sue people acting under Federal authority for violations of your rights under the civil-rights suit law (42 U.S.C. 1983). It does this by inserting the words "of the United States or" before "of any State" in that law. This would expand who can be sued and could increase accountability and litigation against federal officers.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

RI • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 11/18/2025

  • Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 11/18/2025

  • Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 11/18/2025

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 11/18/2025

  • Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 11/18/2025

  • Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 1/12/2026

  • Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 1/15/2026

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 1/27/2026

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 1/29/2026

  • Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 4/13/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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