This bill creates a federal cause of action allowing people to sue executive branch employees who violate their First Amendment rights while acting in their official capacity. The President and Vice President are excluded from this liability.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill creates a federal cause of action allowing people to sue executive branch employees who violate their First Amendment rights while acting in their official capacity. The President and Vice President are excluded from this liability.
Last updated: 1/6/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Censorship Accountability Act</strong></p><p>This bill creates a new federal cause of action for the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the First Amendment by a federal employee acting under color of any statute, ordinance, custom, or usage of the United States.</p><p>The term <em>federal employee</em> means an individual, other than the President or Vice President, who occupies a position in the Executive Branch.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Creates federal lawsuit right for First Amendment violations
Applies to executive branch employees acting officially
Excludes President and Vice President from liability
Covers deprivation of speech, press, and assembly rights
Modeled on civil rights enforcement structure
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Citizens who believe federal employees censored their speech or violated other First Amendment rights could sue those employees directly. This creates personal liability for federal workers who suppress protected speech while performing their duties.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Law
Related Subjects
Civil actions and liability
First Amendment rights
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Lawyers and legal services
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
67, 119th Congress (2025). "Censorship Accountability Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-67
