H.R.140 — Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act

House Roll Call

H.R.140

Roll 138 • Congress 118, Session 1 • Mar 8, 2023 6:12 PM • Result: Failed

← Back to roll call list • View bill page • Clerk record • API source

BillH.R.140 — Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act
Vote questionOn Agreeing to the Amendment
Vote typeRecorded Vote
ResultFailed
TotalsYea 207 / Nay 223 / Present 0 / Not Voting 10
PartyYeaNayPresentNot Voting
R2051603
D220707
I0000

Research Brief

On Agreeing to the Amendment

Bill Analysis

Bill Summary: HR 140 - Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act

The Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act (HR 140) aims to safeguard individuals’ rights to free speech by prohibiting government entities from engaging in actions that would infringe upon or restrict speech, particularly in the context of online platforms and social media. This legislation addresses concerns about government overreach and censorship, ensuring that citizens can express their opinions without fear of retaliation or suppression by government officials.

Key Provisions:

  • The bill explicitly prohibits federal, state, and local government officials from compelling or coercing social media companies and other online platforms to remove or restrict content based on its political viewpoint or the identity of the speaker.
  • It establishes a framework for accountability by allowing individuals to sue government entities that violate these provisions, thereby providing a legal avenue for redress.

Funding/Authorities: While the bill does not allocate specific funding, it empowers individuals to seek damages in civil court against government officials found to be in violation of the act. This creates a potential financial liability for government entities that engage in unconstitutional speech suppression.

Programs/Agencies Affected: The legislation primarily impacts federal and state government agencies involved in regulatory oversight of online platforms, including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ). It also affects social media companies and online service providers that may face pressure from government entities.

Beneficiaries and Regulations: The primary beneficiaries of this bill are individuals and organizations advocating for free speech rights, particularly those using online platforms. It also serves to protect content creators, journalists, and activists from potential government censorship.

Key Timelines: HR 140 was introduced in the House and has been received in the Senate, where it has been read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for further consideration. The timeline for further action will depend on the committee’s review and subsequent legislative processes.

View bill source • Clerk record • API record

Yea (207)

K
Kelly Armstrong

ND • R • Aye

D
Dan Bishop

NC • R • Aye

K
Ken Buck

CO • R • Aye

L
Larry Bucshon

IN • R • Aye

M
Michael Burgess

TX • R • Aye

K
Ken Calvert

CA • R • Aye

J
Jerry Carl

AL • R • Aye

J
John Duarte

CA • R • Aye

J
Jeff Duncan

SC • R • Aye

A
A. Ferguson

GA • R • Aye

S
Scott Franklin

FL • R • Aye

M
Matt Gaetz

FL • R • Aye

M
Mike Gallagher

WI • R • Aye

M
Mike Garcia

CA • R • Aye

J
Jenniffer González-Colón

PR • R • Aye

B
Bob Good

VA • R • Aye

K
Kay Granger

TX • R • Aye

G
Garret Graves

LA • R • Aye

M
Mark Green

TN • R • Aye

B
Bill Johnson

OH • R • Aye

D
Doug Lamborn

CO • R • Aye

J
Jake LaTurner

KS • R • Aye

D
Debbie Lesko

AZ • R • Aye

B
Blaine Luetkemeyer

MO • R • Aye

L
Lisa McClain

MI • R • Aye

P
Patrick McHenry

NC • R • Aye

A
Alexander Mooney

WV • R • Aye

G
Greg Pence

IN • R • Aye

B
Bill Posey

FL • R • Aye

C
Cathy Rodgers

WA • R • Aye

M
Matthew Rosendale

MT • R • Aye

J
John Rutherford

FL • R • Aye

G
George Santos

NY • R • Aye

P
Pete Sessions

TX • R • Aye

M
Michelle Steel

CA • R • Aye

C
Chris Stewart

UT • R • Aye

M
Michael Waltz

FL • R • Aye

B
Brad Wenstrup

OH • R • Aye

Nay (223)

C
Colin Allred

TX • D • No

E
Earl Blumenauer

OR • D • No

J
Jamaal Bowman

NY • D • No

C
Cori Bush

MO • D • No

Y
Yadira Caraveo

CO • D • No

T
Tony Cárdenas

CA • D • No

M
Matt Cartwright

PA • D • No

L
Lori Chavez-DeRemer

OR • R • No

D
David Cicilline

RI • D • No

G
Gerald Connolly

VA • D • No

J
Jason Crow

CO • D • No

A
Anthony D'Esposito

NY • R • No

L
Lloyd Doggett

TX • D • No

A
Anna Eshoo

CA • D • No

R
Ruben Gallego

AZ • D • No

J
John Garamendi

CA • D • No

R
Raúl Grijalva

AZ • D • No

B
Brian Higgins

NY • D • No

J
Jeff Jackson

NC • D • No

S
Sheila Jackson Lee

TX • D • No

D
Daniel Kildee

MI • D • No

D
Derek Kilmer

WA • D • No

A
Ann Kuster

NH • D • No

B
Barbara Lee

CA • D • No

K
Kathy Manning

NC • D • No

L
Lucy McBath

GA • D • No

M
Marcus Molinaro

NY • R • No

G
Grace Napolitano

CA • D • No

W
Wiley Nickel

NC • D • No

B
Bill Pascrell

NJ • D • No

D
Donald Payne

NJ • D • No

M
Mary Peltola

AK • D • No

K
Katie Porter

CA • D • No

C
C. Ruppersberger

MD • D • No

G
Gregorio Sablan

MP • D • No

J
John Sarbanes

MD • D • No

D
David Schweikert

AZ • R • No

A
Abigail Spanberger

VA • D • No

E
Eric Swalwell

CA • D • No

R
Rashida Tlaib

MI • D • No

D
David Trone

MD • D • No

N
Nydia Velázquez

NY • D • No

D
Debbie Wasserman Schultz

FL • D • No

J
Jennifer Wexton

VA • D • No

S
Susan Wild

PA • D • No

B
Brandon Williams

NY • R • No

Not Voting (10)

D
Dean Phillips

MN • D • Not Voting