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Protecting Free Speech: Federal Employees Prohibited from Censorship

This act aims to protect citizens' freedom of speech by prohibiting federal employees from censoring lawful speech or advocating for its censorship by others. This means the government cannot influence what private companies publish online, unless it involves illegal content. It establishes clear rules and penalties for officials who violate these provisions, increasing transparency in government actions regarding free speech.
Key points
Federal employees are prohibited from using their official authority to censor lawful speech by private entities, even outside of normal duty hours.
Violations can result in penalties such as removal from employment, fines up to $1,000 (or $50,000 for senior officials), or a combination thereof.
Exceptions are made for legitimate law enforcement functions against unlawful speech, such as child pornography or human trafficking, with reporting requirements to Congress.
Mandatory annual training on these new rules will be provided to all federal employees, along with annual compliance reports.
article Official text account_balance Process page
VOTING RESULTS
2023-03-09
52%
For 219
Against 206
Abstain 0
Full voting results open_in_new
Expired
Citizen Poll
No votes cast
Additional Information
Print number: 118_HR_140
Sponsor: Rep. Comer, James [R-KY-1]
Process start date: 2023-01-09
Voting date: 2023-03-09
Meeting no: 1
Voting no: 141
Lustra uses Artificial Intelligence. Verify details in source documents.
Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_HR_140.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2023-01-09.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Federal employees are prohibited from using their official authority to censor lawful speech by private entities, even outside of normal duty hours.
  • Violations can result in penalties such as removal from employment, fines up to $1,000 (or $50,000 for senior officials), or a combination thereof.
  • Exceptions are made for legitimate law enforcement functions against unlawful speech, such as child pornography or human trafficking, with reporting requirements to Congress.
  • Mandatory annual training on these new rules will be provided to all federal employees, along with annual compliance reports.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Where is the official voting record?

The official roll call vote is recorded at: voting record

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Comer, James [R-KY-1].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 206 (Roll no. 141).

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-24.

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