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HR 6185 117th Congress House Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Bivens Act of 2021

Introduced: December 8, 2021 Introduced by: Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" Democratic · Georgia See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 1, 2022
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Dec 8, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Dec 8, 2021
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Bivens Act of 2021

This bill provides individuals with a statutory right to sue and recover damages from federal officials for violations of their constitutional rights.

Currently, individuals have a statutory right to bring such suits against state or local officials (e.g., law enforcement), commonly known as Section 1983 suits or Bivens actions. Although the statute does not explicitly authorize such suits against federal officials, the Supreme Court has found this right to be inferred from the Constitution in certain situations (e.g., Fourth Amendment violations committed by federal law enforcement officers).

What's happening now November 1, 2022

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

 Related & companion bills 2
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 6185: Bivens Act of 2021. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-6185/
MLA
"H.R. 6185: Bivens Act of 2021." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-6185/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 6185, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-6185/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 6185: Bivens Act of 2021](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-6185/)
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