{"bill":{"id":"118-hr-140","congress":118,"type":"HR","number":140,"title":"Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act","originChamber":"House","introducedDate":"2023-01-09","sponsors":[{"bioguideId":"C001108","fullName":"Rep. Comer, James [R-KY-1]","party":"R","state":"KY","district":1}],"cosponsorsCount":16,"latestAction":{"actionDate":"2023-03-14","text":"Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs."},"policyArea":"Government Operations and Politics","subjects":["Employment discrimination and employee rights","First Amendment rights","Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management","Internet, web applications, social media"],"actions":[{"date":"2023-03-14","text":"Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.","type":"IntroReferral","chamber":"Senate","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-09","text":"Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-09","text":"On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 206 (Roll no. 141).","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":true},{"date":"2023-03-09","text":"Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 206 (Roll no. 141).","type":"Floor","chamber":"Library of Congress","hasVote":true},{"date":"2023-03-09","text":"On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 204 - 218 (Roll no. 140).","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":true},{"date":"2023-03-09","text":"Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1230-1232)","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-09","text":"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.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-09","text":"The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-09","text":"Mr. Landsman moved to recommit to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability. (text: CR H1221)","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-09","text":"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.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-09","text":"The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-09","text":"The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 140.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-09","text":"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.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-09","text":"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.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-09","text":"The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-09","text":"Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1219-1221)","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-08","text":"Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 140 as unfinished business.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-08","text":"On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-08","text":"Mr. Comer moved that the committee rise.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-08","text":"The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-08","text":"Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1196-1198)","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-08","text":"Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 140 as unfinished business.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-08","text":"On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-08","text":"Mr. Comer moved that the Committee rise.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-08","text":"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.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-08","text":"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.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-08","text":"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.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-08","text":"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.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-08","text":"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.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2023-03-08","text":"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.","type":"Floor","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false}],"summary":" <p><b>Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act</b></p> <p>This bill generally prohibits federal employees from censoring the speech of others while acting in an official capacity.</p> <p>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. </p> <p>Employees are subject to disciplinary action, civil penalties, or both for violations.</p> <p>The bill defines <i>censor </i>or <i>censorship</i> 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).</p>","updateDate":"2025-05-27T14:16:35Z"},"markets":[],"stateBills":[],"meta":{"sources":["congress.gov"],"latencyMs":1357,"ts":"2026-04-19T11:02:04.287Z"},"nextActions":{"inspect":[],"related":[{"description":"Search related legislation","method":"GET","url":"/api/public/query-gov?q=Protecting%20Speech%20from%20Government%20Interference%20Act"}]}}