Simple Functions
LEGISLATION/H.R. 425

History and Tradition Protection Act of 2023

118-HR-425118th CongressIntroduced Jan 20, 2023Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Market Probability
No market
Status
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Other Chamber
Signed
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsor

Rep. Johnson, Mike [R-LA-4](R-LA-4)
4 cosponsors

Summary

History and Tradition Protection Act of 2023

This bill limits the types of relief that may be awarded in civil suits that involve violations of the Constitution's Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from establishing a religion.

Current law provides a statutory civil cause of action against state and local government actors for violations of constitutional rights, also known as Section 1983 lawsuits. The bill limits relief for Section 1983 lawsuits that involve violations of the Establishment Clause to injunctive and declaratory relief (i.e., nonmonetary relief) and prohibits the award of attorneys' fees in these cases, including those that involve monuments, public buildings, official seals, and government proceedings. The bill applies the same restrictions to similar lawsuits against federal agencies.

Subjects

Civil actions and liabilityFirst Amendment rightsGovernment liabilityLegal fees and court costsReligionState and local government operations

Actions (3)

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jan 20, 2023House floor actions
Introduced in House
Jan 20, 2023Library of Congress
Introduced in House
Jan 20, 2023Library of Congress
← All legislationAPI →