HR 140
118th Congress
House
Government Operations and Politics
Employment discrimination and employee rights
First Amendment rights
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Internet, web applications, social media
Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act
Everywhere this bill has been
42 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 14, 2023
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Mar 9, 2023
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 206 (Roll no. 141).
Mar 9, 2023
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 204 - 218 (Roll no. 140).
Mar 9, 2023
The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
Mar 9, 2023
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1230-1232)
Mar 9, 2023
POSTPONED 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.
Mar 9, 2023
Mr. Landsman moved to recommit to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability. (text: CR H1221)
Mar 9, 2023
The 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.
Mar 9, 2023
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Mar 9, 2023
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 140.
Mar 9, 2023
DEBATE - 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.
Mar 9, 2023
DEBATE - 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.
Mar 9, 2023
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Mar 9, 2023
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar 9, 2023
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1219-1221)
Mar 8, 2023
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 199. (consideration: CR H1180-1194; text: CR H1185-1186)
Mar 8, 2023
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Mar 8, 2023
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1196-1198)
Mar 8, 2023
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 140 as unfinished business.
Mar 8, 2023
On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Mar 8, 2023
Mr. Comer moved that the Committee rise.
Mar 8, 2023
DEBATE - 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.
Mar 8, 2023
The Speaker designated the Honorable Mike Flood to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Mar 8, 2023
DEBATE - 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.
Mar 8, 2023
DEBATE - 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.
Mar 8, 2023
DEBATE - 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.
Mar 8, 2023
DEBATE - 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.
Mar 8, 2023
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 140.
Mar 8, 2023
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 199 and Rule XVIII.
Mar 8, 2023
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.
Mar 8, 2023
DEBATE - 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.
Mar 8, 2023
POSTPONED 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.
Mar 8, 2023
DEBATE - 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.
Mar 8, 2023
DEBATE - 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.
Mar 8, 2023
POSTPONED 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.
Mar 7, 2023
Rules 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.
Mar 2, 2023
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 2.
Mar 2, 2023
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Accountability. H. Rept. 118-5.
Feb 28, 2023
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 20.
Feb 28, 2023
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jan 9, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
Jan 9, 2023
Introduced in House
Votes taken on this bill
2
| Date | Chamber | What was voted on | Result | Yes–No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 9, 2023 | House · vote #141 | On Passage | Passed | 219–206 | See who voted → |
| Mar 9, 2023 | House · vote #140 | On Motion to Recommit | Failed | 204–218 | See who voted → |
Amendments to this bill
10
8 agreed to 2 failed
| Amendment | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|
| HAMDT 109 | Rose, John W. | Agreed to |
| HAMDT 108 | Rose, John W. | Agreed to |
| HAMDT 107 | Ogles, Andrew | Agreed to |
| HAMDT 106 | Ogles, Andrew | Agreed to |
| HAMDT 105 | — | Failed |
| HAMDT 104 | — | Agreed to |
| HAMDT 103 | Perry, Scott | Failed |
| HAMDT 102 | — | Agreed to |
| HAMDT 101 | Comer, James | Agreed to |
| HAMDT 100 | Clyde, Andrew S. | Agreed to |
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Plain-English summary
Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act
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.
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).
What's happening now
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Related & companion bills
1
Bill text
4 versions
- Engrossed in House Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
- Introduced in House Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
- Referred in Senate Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
- Reported in House Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
Committees of jurisdiction
2
Lobbying activity
1
Cite this page
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 140: Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act. 118th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-140/
"H.R. 140: Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act." 118th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-140/.
H.R. 140, 118th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-140/.
[H.R. 140: Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-140/)