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118th Congress Government Operations and Politics

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

Passed HouseMar 9, 2023

  1. Introduced (completed)Jan 9, 2023
  2. Passed House (completed)Mar 9, 2023, 219–206
  3. Passed Senate (not reached)
  4. To the President (not reached)
  5. Became law (not reached)

Summary

Passed House, Mar 9, 2023

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.

Read the full summary

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).

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Key votes

House final vote, Mar 9, 2023

On Passage

Passed 219–206

Yea 219majority 213Nay 206

  • Democrats0 yea, 206 nay
  • Republicans218 yea, 0 nay
  • Independents1 yea, 0 nay
See how all 425 members voted

Showing 434 of 434 members

Yea 219

Republicans (218)

Independents (1)

Nay 206

Democrats (206)

Not voting 9

Republicans (2)

Senate

Not yet voted

Passed the House Mar 9, 2023. Awaiting Senate action.

Roll calls

4 votes on this bill

Showing 4 of 4 roll calls

  • Mar 9, 2023HouseOn PassageFinal passagePassed, yea-nay 219–206
    Roll call 141 tally by party
    PartyYeaNayPresentNot voting
    Democrats020607
    Republicans218002
    Independents1000
    Total21920609

    House roll call 141: On Passage. Passed.

    How each member voted (434)
  • Mar 9, 2023HouseMotion to recommitFailed, yea-nay 204–218
    Roll call 140 tally by party
    PartyYeaNayPresentNot voting
    Democrats204009
    Republicans021704
    Independents0100
    Total204218013

    House roll call 140: On Motion to Recommit. Failed.

    How each member voted (435)
  • Mar 8, 2023HouseH.Amdt. 105, Jackson LeeRejected, yea-nay 209–221
    Roll call 139 tally by party
    PartyYeaNayPresentNot voting
    Democrats209106
    Republicans021904
    Independents0100
    Total209221010

    House roll call 139: On Agreeing to the Amendment. Failed.

    Amendment by Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)

    1 crossed party lines: 1 Democrat

    How each member voted (440)
  • Mar 8, 2023HouseH.Amdt. 103, PerryRejected, yea-nay 207–223
    Roll call 138 tally by party
    PartyYeaNayPresentNot voting
    Democrats220707
    Republicans2041603
    Independents1000
    Total207223010

    House roll call 138: On Agreeing to the Amendment. Failed.

    Amendment by Scott Perry (R-PA)

    18 crossed party lines: 2 Democrats, 16 Republicans

    How each member voted (440)

Amendments

10 offered

Showing 4 of 10 amendments

  • H.Amdt. 109John Rose R-TNAgreedMar 9, 2023Mar 9, 2023: On agreeing to the Rose amendment (A010) Agreed to by voice vote.
  • H.Amdt. 108John Rose R-TNAgreedMar 9, 2023Mar 9, 2023: On agreeing to the Rose amendment (A009) Agreed to by voice vote.
  • H.Amdt. 107Andrew Ogles R-TNAgreedMar 8, 2023Mar 8, 2023: On agreeing to the Ogles amendment (A008) Agreed to by voice vote.
  • H.Amdt. 106Andrew Ogles R-TNAgreedMar 8, 2023Mar 8, 2023: On agreeing to the Ogles amendment (A007) Agreed to by voice vote.
  • H.Amdt. 105Sheila Jackson Lee D-TXFailedMar 8, 2023Mar 8, 2023: On agreeing to the Jackson Lee amendment (A006) Failed by recorded vote: 209 - 221 (Roll no. 139).
  • H.Amdt. 104Robert Good R-VAAgreedMar 8, 2023Mar 8, 2023: On agreeing to the Good (VA) amendment (A005) Agreed to by voice vote.
  • H.Amdt. 103Scott Perry R-PAFailedMar 8, 2023Mar 8, 2023: On agreeing to the Perry amendment (A004) Failed by recorded vote: 207 - 223 (Roll no. 138).
  • H.Amdt. 102Dan Bishop R-NCAgreedMar 8, 2023Mar 8, 2023: On agreeing to the Bishop (NC) amendment (A003) Agreed to by voice vote.
  • H.Amdt. 101James Comer R-KYAgreedMar 8, 2023Mar 8, 2023: On agreeing to the Comer amendment (A002) Agreed to by voice vote.
  • H.Amdt. 100Andrew Clyde R-GAAgreedMar 8, 2023Mar 8, 2023: On agreeing to the Clyde amendment (A001) Agreed to by voice vote.

Cosponsors

16

Who scored on this bill

408 points earned
  1. 1James Comer R-KY SponsorIntroduced, reported, passed House; 1 amendment offered, 1 agreed5 events+72
  2. 2Andrew Ogles R-TN2 amendments offered, 2 agreed4 events+44
  3. 2John Rose R-TN2 amendments offered, 2 agreed4 events+44
  4. 4Dan Bishop R-NC1 amendment offered, 1 agreed2 events+22
  5. 4Andrew Clyde R-GA1 amendment offered, 1 agreed2 events+22
See all scorers and every scoring event

Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.

Other bills by James Comer

History

  1. Mar 9, 2023Passed the House, 219–206.
  2. Jan 9, 2023Introduced in the House by James Comer.
Show the full action history (45 actions)
  1. Mar 14, 2023Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  2. Mar 9, 2023Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1219-1221)
  3. Mar 9, 2023The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
  4. Mar 9, 2023DEBATE - 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.
  5. Mar 9, 2023DEBATE - 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.
  6. Mar 9, 2023The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 140.
  7. Mar 9, 2023The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  8. Mar 9, 2023The 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.
  9. Mar 9, 2023Mr. Landsman moved to recommit to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability. (text: CR H1221)
  10. Mar 9, 2023The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
  11. Mar 9, 2023POSTPONED 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.
  12. Mar 9, 2023Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1230-1232)
  13. Mar 9, 2023On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 204 - 218 (Roll no. 140).
  14. Mar 9, 2023Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 206 (Roll no. 141).
  15. Mar 9, 2023On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 206 (Roll no. 141).
  16. Mar 9, 2023Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  17. Mar 8, 2023Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 199. (consideration: CR H1180-1194; text: CR H1185-1186)
  18. Mar 8, 2023Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 140, H.J. Res. 27 and S. 619. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 140, under a structured rule. The resolution provides for consideration of H.J.Res. 27 and S. 619, under closed rules. General debate is limited to one hour of debate on all measures.
  19. Mar 8, 2023House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 199 and Rule XVIII.
  20. Mar 8, 2023The Speaker designated the Honorable Mike Flood to act as Chairman of the Committee.
  21. Mar 8, 2023GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 140.
  22. Mar 8, 2023DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 199, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Clyde amendment No. 1.
  23. Mar 8, 2023DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 199, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Comer amendment No. 2.
  24. Mar 8, 2023DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 199, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Bishop (NC) amendment No. 3.
  25. Mar 8, 2023DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 199, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Perry amendment No.4.
  26. Mar 8, 2023POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Perry amendment No. 4, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Fitzpatrick demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
  27. Mar 8, 2023DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 199, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Good (VA) amendment No. 5.
  28. Mar 8, 2023DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 199, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment No. 6.
  29. Mar 8, 2023POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment No. 6, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson Lee demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
  30. Mar 8, 2023DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 199, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ogles amendment No. 7.
  31. Mar 8, 2023DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 199, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ogles amendment No. 8.
  32. Mar 8, 2023Mr. Comer moved that the Committee rise.
  33. Mar 8, 2023On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
  34. Mar 8, 2023Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1196-1198)
  35. Mar 8, 2023The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
  36. Mar 8, 2023Mr. Comer moved that the committee rise.
  37. Mar 8, 2023On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
  38. Mar 8, 2023Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 140 as unfinished business.
  39. Mar 7, 2023Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 199 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 140, H.J. Res. 27 and S. 619. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 140, under a structured rule. The resolution provides for consideration of H.J.Res. 27 and S. 619, under closed rules. General debate is limited to one hour of debate on all measures.
  40. Mar 2, 2023Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Accountability. H. Rept. 118-5.
  41. Mar 2, 2023Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 2.
  42. Feb 28, 2023Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
  43. Feb 28, 2023Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 20.
  44. Jan 9, 2023Introduced in House
  45. Jan 9, 2023Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.