HR162119th Congress

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.

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.

View on Congress.gov

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