On the opening day of the 119th Congress, Rep. Hageman introduced her first bill of the new session, the First Amendment Accountability Act, the next step in her fight against the weaponization of the federal government against the American people. This bill would empower Americans to sue federal employees who violate their First Amendment rights.
Rep. Hageman stated: “As a member of the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government in the 118th Congress, I helped uncover the Censorship Industrial Complex, the FBI’s spying on Catholics, the DOJ’s classifying of concerned parents as domestic terrorists, FEMA employees not helping Trump supporters in disaster zones, and much more. Current law allows Americans to sue their state officials for violations of their rights, but no equal right exists at the federal level. I developed this bill to further secure the First Amendment against the growing disdain for liberty by Washington. Since upholding the Constitution and the natural liberties secured in it is my top priority for my constituents and all Americans, I introduced this as my first bill of the 119th Congress.”
Background:
42 U.S.C. 1983 is a federal statute which allows Americans to sue state officials for deprivation of their Constitutional rights. No current right is afforded when federal officials violate your rights, as was seen through the struggles to hold Biden-Harris Administration officials accountable for colluding with social media companies to censor Americans’ speech. The First Amendment Accountability Act takes the structure under Section 1983 and provides Americans with a way to obtain relief for violations of their First Amendment rights by federal employees. Not only does this stand to make American whole for violations of their rights and further secure the First Amendment, but it will make federal officials think twice before violating your rights, or else suffer the consequences.
Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14), Thomas Massie (KY-04), Troy Nehls (TX-22), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Eli Crane (AZ-02), Josh Brecheen (OK-02), Andy Ogles (TN-05), Ben Cline (VA-06), Barry Moore (AL-02), are all original cosponsors of this bill.
