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HR 8976 116th Congress House Law Civil actions and liability Constitution and constitutional amendments Federal district courts Government liability Judicial procedure and administration Jurisdiction and venue Legal fees and court costs

Access to the American Courts Act of 2020

Introduced: December 16, 2020 Introduced by: Davis, Danny K. Democratic · Illinois See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 16, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Dec 16, 2020
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Access to the American Courts Act of 2020

This bill establishes that U.S. district courts shall have jurisdiction over any lawsuit based on an alleged violation of a constitutional right by the United States or any agent, person, or entity acting in the name of the United States. (Generally, the United States may not be sued unless it has consented to the lawsuit.)

The plaintiff filing such a lawsuit shall have the right to a jury trial. If the plaintiff prevails in such a lawsuit, it shall receive attorney fees and costs.

What's happening now December 16, 2020

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 8976: Access to the American Courts Act of 2020. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8976/
MLA
"H.R. 8976: Access to the American Courts Act of 2020." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8976/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 8976, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8976/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 8976: Access to the American Courts Act of 2020](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8976/)
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