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

House Roll Call

H.R.140

Roll 139 • Congress 118, Session 1 • Mar 8, 2023 6:17 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 209 / Nay 221 / Present 0 / Not Voting 10
PartyYeaNayPresentNot Voting
R022004
D209106
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 First Amendment rights by prohibiting federal government entities from engaging in actions that restrict or compel speech. This legislation is particularly focused on preventing government interference in online platforms and social media, ensuring that individuals can express their views without fear of censorship or coercion by government agencies.

Key Provisions:

  • The bill explicitly prohibits federal officials from requesting or directing social media companies to remove or suppress content based on its viewpoint.
  • It establishes a framework for accountability, allowing individuals to seek judicial remedies if they believe their speech has been unlawfully restricted by government actions.

Funding and Authorities: While HR 140 does not allocate specific funding, it empowers individuals to challenge government actions in court, potentially leading to increased legal costs for federal agencies involved in speech regulation. The bill reinforces the authority of the judiciary to adjudicate cases related to free speech violations.

Programs and Agencies Affected: The legislation primarily impacts federal agencies involved in communication and information dissemination, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other entities that may engage in monitoring or influencing online discourse.

Beneficiaries and Regulation: The primary beneficiaries of HR 140 are individuals and organizations that utilize social media and other online platforms for expression. The bill aims to protect these users from potential government overreach and to uphold their rights to free speech. Conversely, it regulates the actions of federal officials and agencies, placing restrictions on their ability to influence or control public discourse.

Key Timelines: Following its introduction, HR 140 was received in the Senate, read twice, and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for further consideration. The legislative process will determine the timeline for potential amendments, debates, and voting on the bill.

View bill source • Clerk record • API record

Yea (209)

C
Colin Allred

TX • D • Aye

E
Earl Blumenauer

OR • D • Aye

J
Jamaal Bowman

NY • D • Aye

C
Cori Bush

MO • D • Aye

Y
Yadira Caraveo

CO • D • Aye

T
Tony Cárdenas

CA • D • Aye

M
Matt Cartwright

PA • D • Aye

D
David Cicilline

RI • D • Aye

G
Gerald Connolly

VA • D • Aye

J
Jason Crow

CO • D • Aye

L
Lloyd Doggett

TX • D • Aye

A
Anna Eshoo

CA • D • Aye

R
Ruben Gallego

AZ • D • Aye

J
John Garamendi

CA • D • Aye

R
Raúl Grijalva

AZ • D • Aye

B
Brian Higgins

NY • D • Aye

J
Jeff Jackson

NC • D • Aye

S
Sheila Jackson Lee

TX • D • Aye

D
Daniel Kildee

MI • D • Aye

D
Derek Kilmer

WA • D • Aye

A
Ann Kuster

NH • D • Aye

B
Barbara Lee

CA • D • Aye

K
Kathy Manning

NC • D • Aye

L
Lucy McBath

GA • D • Aye

G
Grace Napolitano

CA • D • Aye

W
Wiley Nickel

NC • D • Aye

B
Bill Pascrell

NJ • D • Aye

D
Donald Payne

NJ • D • Aye

M
Mary Peltola

AK • D • Aye

K
Katie Porter

CA • D • Aye

C
C. Ruppersberger

MD • D • Aye

G
Gregorio Sablan

MP • D • Aye

J
John Sarbanes

MD • D • Aye

A
Abigail Spanberger

VA • D • Aye

E
Eric Swalwell

CA • D • Aye

R
Rashida Tlaib

MI • D • Aye

D
David Trone

MD • D • Aye

N
Nydia Velázquez

NY • D • Aye

D
Debbie Wasserman Schultz

FL • D • Aye

J
Jennifer Wexton

VA • D • Aye

S
Susan Wild

PA • D • Aye

Nay (221)

K
Kelly Armstrong

ND • R • No

D
Dan Bishop

NC • R • No

K
Ken Buck

CO • R • No

L
Larry Bucshon

IN • R • No

M
Michael Burgess

TX • R • No

K
Ken Calvert

CA • R • No

J
Jerry Carl

AL • R • No

L
Lori Chavez-DeRemer

OR • R • No

A
Anthony D'Esposito

NY • R • No

J
John Duarte

CA • R • No

J
Jeff Duncan

SC • R • No

A
A. Ferguson

GA • R • No

S
Scott Franklin

FL • R • No

M
Matt Gaetz

FL • R • No

M
Mike Gallagher

WI • R • No

M
Mike Garcia

CA • R • No

J
Jenniffer González-Colón

PR • R • No

B
Bob Good

VA • R • No

K
Kay Granger

TX • R • No

G
Garret Graves

LA • R • No

M
Mark Green

TN • R • No

B
Bill Johnson

OH • R • No

D
Doug Lamborn

CO • R • No

J
Jake LaTurner

KS • R • No

D
Debbie Lesko

AZ • R • No

B
Blaine Luetkemeyer

MO • R • No

L
Lisa McClain

MI • R • No

P
Patrick McHenry

NC • R • No

M
Marcus Molinaro

NY • R • No

A
Alexander Mooney

WV • R • No

G
Greg Pence

IN • R • No

B
Bill Posey

FL • R • No

C
Cathy Rodgers

WA • R • No

M
Matthew Rosendale

MT • R • No

J
John Rutherford

FL • R • No

G
George Santos

NY • R • No

D
David Schweikert

AZ • R • No

P
Pete Sessions

TX • R • No

M
Michelle Steel

CA • R • No

C
Chris Stewart

UT • R • No

M
Michael Waltz

FL • R • No

B
Brad Wenstrup

OH • R • No

B
Brandon Williams

NY • R • No

Not Voting (10)

D
Dean Phillips

MN • D • Not Voting