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HR 425 118th Congress House Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Civil actions and liability First Amendment rights Government liability Legal fees and court costs Religion State and local government operations

History and Tradition Protection Act of 2023

Introduced: July 17, 2023 Introduced by: Johnson, Mike Republican · Louisiana See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 118th Congress ended
It never became law before the 118th Congress (2023–2024) 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
Jan 20, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jan 20, 2023
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

History and Tradition Protection Act of 2023

This bill limits the types of relief that may be awarded in civil suits that involve violations of the Constitution's Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from establishing a religion.

Current law provides a statutory civil cause of action against state and local government actors for violations of constitutional rights, also known as Section 1983 lawsuits. The bill limits relief for Section 1983 lawsuits that involve violations of the Establishment Clause to injunctive and declaratory relief (i.e., nonmonetary relief) and prohibits the award of attorneys' fees in these cases, including those that involve monuments, public buildings, official seals, and government proceedings. The bill applies the same restrictions to similar lawsuits against federal agencies.

What's happening now January 20, 2023

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 4
All 4 Republican 3
R
Rouzer, David
North Carolina · Jul 17, 2023
 R
Biggs, Andy
Arizona · Jan 20, 2023
Gaetz, Matt
· Jan 20, 2023
 R
Weber, Randy K. Sr.
Texas · Jan 20, 2023
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 425: History and Tradition Protection Act of 2023. 118th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-425/
MLA
"H.R. 425: History and Tradition Protection Act of 2023." 118th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-425/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 425, 118th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-425/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 425: History and Tradition Protection Act of 2023](https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-425/)
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