Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act

Fact Sheet API

Bill Number

HR 140

Introduced

Jan 9, 2023

Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

Topics

Employment discrimination and employee rights First Amendment rights Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management Government Operations and Politics Internet, web applications, social media

Full Text

View Full Bill Text

Votes

Summary

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).

Actions

Mar 14, 2023

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Mar 9, 2023

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar 9, 2023

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 206 (Roll no. 141).
Mar 9, 2023

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 206 (Roll no. 141).
Mar 9, 2023

On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 204 - 218 (Roll no. 140).
Mar 9, 2023

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1230-1232)
Mar 9, 2023

POSTPONED 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.
Mar 9, 2023

The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
Mar 9, 2023

Mr. Landsman moved to recommit to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability. (text: CR H1221)
Mar 9, 2023

The 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.
Mar 9, 2023

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Mar 9, 2023

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 140.
Mar 9, 2023

DEBATE - 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.
Mar 9, 2023

DEBATE - 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.
Mar 9, 2023

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Mar 9, 2023

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1219-1221)
Mar 8, 2023

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 140 as unfinished business.
Mar 8, 2023

On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Mar 8, 2023

Mr. Comer moved that the committee rise.
Mar 8, 2023

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Mar 8, 2023

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1196-1198)
Mar 8, 2023

DEBATE - 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.
Mar 8, 2023

DEBATE - 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.
Mar 8, 2023

POSTPONED 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.
Mar 8, 2023

DEBATE - 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.
Mar 8, 2023

DEBATE - 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.
Mar 8, 2023

POSTPONED 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.
Mar 8, 2023

DEBATE - 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.
Mar 8, 2023

DEBATE - 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.
Mar 8, 2023

DEBATE - 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.
Mar 8, 2023

DEBATE - 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.
Mar 8, 2023

GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 140.
Mar 8, 2023

The Speaker designated the Honorable Mike Flood to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Mar 8, 2023

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 199 and Rule XVIII.
Mar 8, 2023

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.
Mar 8, 2023

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 199. (consideration: CR H1180-1194; text: CR H1185-1186)
Mar 7, 2023

Rules 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.
Mar 2, 2023

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Accountability. H. Rept. 118-5.
Mar 2, 2023

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 2.
Feb 28, 2023

Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 20.
Feb 28, 2023

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jan 9, 2023

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
Jan 9, 2023

Introduced in House

Amendments

Related Bills