To amend title 5, United States Code, to prohibit Federal employees from advocating for censorship of viewpoints in their official capacity, and for other purposes.
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).
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Mr. Comer moved that the committee rise.
On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 140 as unfinished business.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1219-1221)
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
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.
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.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 140.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
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.
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Mr. Landsman moved to recommit to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability. (text: CR H1221)
The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
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.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1230-1232)
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 204 - 218 (Roll no. 140).
Roll Call #140 (House)Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 206 (Roll no. 141).
Roll Call #141 (House)On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 206 (Roll no. 141).
Roll Call #141 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.