Censorship Accountability Act

This bill, called the Censorship Accountability Act, would let people sue federal executive-branch employees personally if those employees violate someone’s First Amendment rights, like free speech or freedom of religion, while acting in their official role. It defines “federal employee” as anyone in the executive branch, including independent agencies, but not the President or Vice President. You could sue the individual employee, but not the agency or the federal government for actions within the scope of employment. A court may also award reasonable attorney’s fees to the winning side, but not to the United States. If one part of the law is struck down, the rest would still stand (severability).

Key points

• Who is affected: People in the U.S. and federal executive-branch employees (not the President or Vice President).
• What changes: Creates a new right to sue individual federal employees for First Amendment violations; you cannot sue the agency or the federal government for those acts; courts may award attorney’s fees to the winner (not the U.S.).
• When: No specific start date is listed in the text provided.