Bill > S2425

This bill, the Free Speech Protection Act, prohibits federal employees and contractors from directing online platforms to censor any speech that is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The key provisions of the bill include: 1. Defining key terms such as "covered information," "covered platform," and "provider" to establish the scope of the bill. 2. Prohibiting federal employees from using their official authority to direct, coerce, or encourage online platforms to censor protected speech, remove users, or label content as "disinformation" or "misinformation." Violators would face disciplinary actions, civil penalties, and loss of security clearances. 3. Establishing a private right of action for individuals whose speech or online activities have been affected by a violation of the act, with a presumption of liability for the government. 4. Requiring regular reporting by federal agencies on their communications with online platforms regarding content moderation, subject to public disclosure. 5. Terminating the Department of Homeland Security's Disinformation Governance Board and prohibiting federal funding for similar entities. 6. Prohibiting federal grants related to "misinformation" or "disinformation" and requiring grant recipients to certify they will not designate news sources as such. The bill aims to protect free speech by restricting government influence over online content moderation and censorship, in response to concerns about federal officials seeking to silence certain narratives and viewpoints on social media platforms.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/2425/all-info