Rep. Harriet Hageman, U.S. Representative for Wyoming | Facebook Website
Rep. Harriet Hageman, U.S. Representative for Wyoming | Facebook Website
On the first day of the 119th Congress, Representative Harriet Hageman introduced the First Amendment Accountability Act. This legislation aims to allow Americans to sue federal employees who infringe upon their First Amendment rights.
Rep. Hageman commented on her role in uncovering issues during her time with the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government in the previous Congress. She said, “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." She emphasized that while current laws permit lawsuits against state officials for rights violations, no such provision exists at the federal level. "I developed this bill to further secure the First Amendment against the growing disdain for liberty by Washington," she added.
The proposed bill builds upon 42 U.S.C. 1983, which allows citizens to sue state officials for constitutional rights violations. The new act seeks to extend similar accountability measures to federal officials who violate First Amendment rights. It is intended not only to provide relief for affected individuals but also to deter future violations by federal employees.
The bill has garnered support from several original cosponsors including 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), and Barry Moore (AL-02).
Contact: Esteban Elizondo, Communications Director
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