Bills · 118th Congress · Government Operations and Politics
Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act
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Roll calls on this bill
Votes on passage
HouseOn Passage · 3/9/23
Passed
- Democratic0 Yea · 206 Nay · 7 Not voting
- Republican219 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Not voting
- Independent / Other0 Yea · 0 Nay · 0 Not voting
Official summary (CRS)Full text on congress.gov ↗
Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act
This bill generally prohibits federal employees from censoring the speech of others while acting in an official capacity.
Specifically, the bill prohibits employees of executive agencies or who are otherwise in the competitive service from (1) using their official authority to censor a private entity; or (2) engaging in censorship of a private entity while on duty, wearing a uniform, or using official government property. The bill provides certain exceptions for law enforcement, subject to specified reporting requirements.
Employees are subject to disciplinary action, civil penalties, or both for violations.
The bill defines censor or censorship to mean influencing or coercing, or directing another to influence or coerce, for the removal of lawful speech, the addition of disclaimers, or the restriction of access with respect to any interactive computer service (e.g., social media).
Cosponsors
16
16
Introduced
1/9/23
1/9/23
Status
1/9/23Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
1/9/23Introduced in House
2/28/23Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 20.
2/28/23Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
3/2/23Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Accountability. H. Rept. 118-5.
3/2/23Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 2.
3/7/23Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 199 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 140, H.J. Res. 27 and S. 619. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 140, under a structured rule. The resolution provides for consideration of H.J.Res. 27 and S. 619, under closed rules. General debate is limited to one hour of debate on all measures.
3/8/23Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 140 as unfinished business.
3/8/23On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
3/8/23Mr. Comer moved that the committee rise.
3/8/23The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
3/8/23Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1196-1198)
3/8/23On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
3/8/23Mr. Comer moved that the Committee rise.
3/8/23DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 199, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ogles amendment No. 8.
3/8/23DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 199, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ogles amendment No. 7.
3/8/23POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment No. 6, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson Lee demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
3/8/23DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 199, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment No. 6.
3/8/23DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 199, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Good (VA) amendment No. 5.
3/8/23POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Perry amendment No. 4, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Fitzpatrick demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
3/8/23DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 199, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Perry amendment No.4.
3/8/23DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 199, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Bishop (NC) amendment No. 3.
3/8/23DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 199, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Comer amendment No. 2.
3/8/23DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 199, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Clyde amendment No. 1.
3/8/23GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 140.
3/8/23The Speaker designated the Honorable Mike Flood to act as Chairman of the Committee.
3/8/23House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 199 and Rule XVIII.
3/8/23Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 140, H.J. Res. 27 and S. 619. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 140, under a structured rule. The resolution provides for consideration of H.J.Res. 27 and S. 619, under closed rules. General debate is limited to one hour of debate on all measures.
3/8/23Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 199. (consideration: CR H1180-1194; text: CR H1185-1186)
3/9/23Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3/9/23On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 206 (Roll no. 141).
3/9/23Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 206 (Roll no. 141).
3/9/23On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 204 - 218 (Roll no. 140).
3/9/23Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1230-1232)
3/9/23POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 140, the Chair put the question on the motion to recommit the bill and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Landsman demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the motion to recommit until a time to be announced.
3/9/23The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
3/9/23Mr. Landsman moved to recommit to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability. (text: CR H1221)
3/9/23The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
3/9/23The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
3/9/23The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 140.
3/9/23DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 199, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rose amendment No. 10.
3/9/23DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 199, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rose amendment No. 9.
3/9/23The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
3/9/23Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1219-1221)
3/14/23Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.