H.R. 140 · 118th Congress · House

Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act

In Congress· Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Introduced
Jan 9, 23
Passed House
Mar 9, 23
Passed Senate
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive 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).

Previous Versions

07Mar 2, 2023

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).

00Jan 9, 2023

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 influence or advocate for a third party, including a private entity, to censor speech; (2) censoring the speech of any person who has a pending regulatory application with, or is the subject of or a participant in an active enforcement action by, the employee's office; or (3) engaging in censorship while on duty, wearing a uniform, or using official government property. Certain presidential appointees may not censor speech at any time, including outside normal duty hours.

Employees are subject to disciplinary action, civil penalties, or both for violations.

The bill defines censor or censorship to include ordering or advocating for the removal of lawful speech, the addition of disclaimers, or the restriction of access with respect to any platform (e.g., social media).

Action Timeline

48
  1. MAR 14, 2023IntroReferral

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

  2. MAR 09, 2023Floor

    Considered as unfinished business

    (consideration: CR H1219-1221)

    1219Yea
    1221Nay
    0NV
  3. MAR 09, 2023Floor

    The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

  4. MAR 09, 2023Floor

    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.

  5. MAR 09, 2023Floor

    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.

  6. MAR 09, 2023Floor

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

  7. MAR 09, 2023Floor

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

  8. MAR 09, 2023Floor

    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.

  9. MAR 09, 2023Floor

    Mr

    Landsman moved to recommit to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability. (text: CR H1221)

  10. MAR 09, 2023Floor

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

  11. MAR 09, 2023Floor

    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.

  12. MAR 09, 2023Floor

    Considered as unfinished business

    (consideration: CR H1230-1232)

    1230Yea
    1232Nay
    0NV
  13. MAR 09, 2023Floor

    On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays

    Roll Call #140

    204 - 218 (Roll no. 140).

    204Yea
    218Nay
    0NV
  14. MAR 09, 2023Floor

    Passed/agreed to in House

    Roll Call #141

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

    219Yea
    206Nay
    0NV
  15. MAR 09, 2023Floor

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays

    Roll Call #141

    219 - 206 (Roll no. 141).

    219Yea
    206Nay
    0NV
  16. MAR 09, 2023Floor

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  17. MAR 08, 2023Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 199. (consideration

    CR H1180-1194; text: CR H1185-1186)

    1180Yea
    1194Nay
    0NV
  18. MAR 08, 2023Floor

    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.

  19. MAR 08, 2023Floor

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

  20. MAR 08, 2023Floor

    The Speaker designated the Honorable Mike Flood to act as Chairman of the Committee.

  21. MAR 08, 2023Floor

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

  22. MAR 08, 2023Floor

    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.

  23. MAR 08, 2023Floor

    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.

  24. MAR 08, 2023Floor

    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.

  25. MAR 08, 2023Floor

    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.

  26. MAR 08, 2023Floor

    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.

  27. MAR 08, 2023Floor

    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.

  28. MAR 08, 2023Floor

    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.

  29. MAR 08, 2023Floor

    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.

  30. MAR 08, 2023Floor

    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.

  31. MAR 08, 2023Floor

    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.

  32. MAR 08, 2023Floor

    Mr

    Comer moved that the Committee rise.

  33. MAR 08, 2023Floor

    On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

  34. MAR 08, 2023Floor

    Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R

    140 as unfinished business.

  35. MAR 08, 2023Floor

    Considered as unfinished business

    (consideration: CR H1196-1198)

    1196Yea
    1198Nay
    0NV
  36. MAR 08, 2023Floor

    The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

  37. MAR 08, 2023Floor

    Mr

    Comer moved that the committee rise.

  38. MAR 08, 2023Floor

    On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

  39. MAR 08, 2023Floor

    Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R

    140 as unfinished business.

  40. MAR 07, 2023Floor

    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.

  41. MAR 02, 2023Committee

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

    118Yea
    5Nay
    0NV
  42. MAR 02, 2023Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 2.

  43. MAR 02, 2023Committee

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

    118Yea
    5Nay
    0NV
  44. FEB 28, 2023Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  45. FEB 28, 2023Committee

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

    24Yea
    20Nay
    0NV
  46. JAN 09, 2023IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  47. JAN 09, 2023IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  48. JAN 09, 2023IntroReferral

    Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.

Committees

6

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

ssga00

Referred: Mar 14, 2023

Active

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

hsgo00

Referred: Mar 9, 2023

Active

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

hsgo00

Referred: Mar 9, 2023

Active

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

hsgo00

Referred: Mar 3, 2023

Active

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

hsgo00

Referred: Feb 28, 2023

Active

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

hsgo00

Referred: Jan 9, 2023

Active