H.R. 140 · 118th Congress

Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act

Introduced on Jan 9, 2023 by James Comer (R-KY-1). 16 cosponsors, all from the sponsor's party. Latest action (Mar 14, 2023): Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Stage
Passed one chamber
Introduced
Jan 9, 2023
Cosponsors
16
0 from the other party
Policy area
Government Operations and Politics
Open in the Congress explorerCongress.govAlert me

Progress

The furthest stage the measure reached. Simple and concurrent resolutions do not go to the President.

  1. Introduced
  2. Reported by committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. 4Passed both chambers
  5. 5Sent to the President
  6. 6Became law

Official title

To amend title 5, United States Code, to prohibit Federal employees from advocating for censorship of viewpoints in their official capacity, and for other purposes.

Subjects

  • Employment discrimination and employee rights
  • First Amendment rights
  • Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
  • Internet, web applications, social media

Summary

The Congressional Research Service has not summarized this measure yet.

Sponsor and cosponsors

Cosponsors by party as of the day they signed on. Original cosponsors signed on the day of introduction.

James ComerR-KY-1Sponsor

Republicans · 16

Roll calls

Recorded votes on the measure. Most measures move by voice vote or unanimous consent, which record no individual positions.

  1. On Agreeing to the Amendment
    Mar 8, 2023· House· Amendments· Failed 207–223
  2. On Agreeing to the Amendment
    Mar 8, 2023· House· Amendments· Failed 209–221
  3. On Motion to Recommit
    Mar 9, 2023· House· Procedural· Failed 204–218
  4. On Passage
    Mar 9, 2023· House· Passage· Passed 219–206

History

Every action as published, oldest first. Roll calls link to how each member voted.

  1. Jan 9, 2023Introduced in House
  2. Jan 9, 2023Introduced in House
  3. Jan 9, 2023 · HouseReferred to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
  4. Feb 28, 2023 · HouseCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
  5. Feb 28, 2023 · HouseOrdered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 20.
  6. Mar 2, 2023Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Accountability. H. Rept. 118-5.
  7. Mar 2, 2023 · HousePlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 2.
  8. Mar 2, 2023 · HouseReported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Accountability. H. Rept. 118-5.
  9. Mar 7, 2023 · HouseRules 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.
  10. Mar 8, 2023 · HouseConsidered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 199. (consideration: CR H1180-1194; text: CR H1185-1186)
  11. Mar 8, 2023 · HouseRule 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.
  12. Mar 8, 2023 · HouseHouse resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 199 and Rule XVIII.
  13. Mar 8, 2023 · HouseThe Speaker designated the Honorable Mike Flood to act as Chairman of the Committee.
  14. Mar 8, 2023 · HouseGENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 140.
  15. Mar 8, 2023 · HouseDEBATE - 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.
  16. Mar 8, 2023 · HouseDEBATE - 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.
  17. Mar 8, 2023 · HouseDEBATE - 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.
  18. Mar 8, 2023 · HouseDEBATE - 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.
  19. Mar 8, 2023 · HousePOSTPONED 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.
  20. Mar 8, 2023 · HouseDEBATE - 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.
  21. Mar 8, 2023 · HouseDEBATE - 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.
  22. Mar 8, 2023 · HousePOSTPONED 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.
  23. Mar 8, 2023 · HouseDEBATE - 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.
  24. Mar 8, 2023 · HouseDEBATE - 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.
  25. Mar 8, 2023 · HouseMr. Comer moved that the Committee rise.
  26. Mar 8, 2023 · HouseOn motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
  27. Mar 8, 2023 · HouseCommittee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 140 as unfinished business.
  28. Mar 8, 2023 · HouseConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1196-1198)
  29. Mar 8, 2023 · HouseThe House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
  30. Mar 8, 2023 · HouseMr. Comer moved that the committee rise.
  31. Mar 8, 2023 · HouseOn motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
  32. Mar 8, 2023 · HouseCommittee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 140 as unfinished business.
  33. Mar 9, 2023 · HouseConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1219-1221)
  34. Mar 9, 2023 · HouseThe House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
  35. Mar 9, 2023 · HouseDEBATE - 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.
  36. Mar 9, 2023 · HouseDEBATE - 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.
  37. Mar 9, 2023 · HouseThe House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 140.
  38. Mar 9, 2023 · HouseThe previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  39. Mar 9, 2023 · HouseThe 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.
  40. Mar 9, 2023 · HouseMr. Landsman moved to recommit to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability. (text: CR H1221)
  41. Mar 9, 2023 · HouseThe previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
  42. Mar 9, 2023 · HousePOSTPONED 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.
  43. Mar 9, 2023 · HouseConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1230-1232)
  44. Mar 9, 2023 · HouseOn motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 204 - 218 (Roll no. 140).House · Roll call 140
  45. Mar 9, 2023Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 206 (Roll no. 141).House · Roll call 141
  46. Mar 9, 2023 · HouseOn passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 206 (Roll no. 141).House · Roll call 141
  47. Mar 9, 2023 · HouseMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  48. Mar 14, 2023 · SenateReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Committees

Committees and subcommittees the measure was referred to.

Agencies in its committees' jurisdiction

Analisa's mapping of committee jurisdiction to federal agencies; the bill may touch others, or none of these.

Who lobbied on it

Organizations whose lobbying reports (LD-2) name this measure. Spending is what they reported for those quarters on all issues, not on this measure alone.

  1. AMERICAN FED OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO5 reports
    $2.6M reported (all issues)
  2. LINKEDIN CORPORATION5 reports
    $1.1M reported (all issues)Federal contractor: LINKEDIN CORPORATIONAI match · 100%
  3. NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION5 reports
    $1.5M reported (all issues)
  4. Americans for Tax Reform1 report
    $60K reported (all issues)
  5. FINSECA1 report
    $450K reported (all issues)
  6. Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE)1 report
    $30K reported (all issues)

Reports filed in 2023, 2024, 2025.

Sources and method

Every figure on this page traces to these records.

  • Bill status: bills and resolutions, sponsors, actions, subjects and CRS summaries (U.S. Government Publishing Office (GovInfo), from Congress.gov (Library of Congress))GovInfo Bill Status bulk data (Congress.gov; summaries by the Congressional Research Service) · data current to Oct 7, 2026 · loaded Oct 7, 2026 · license: Public domain (U.S. Government work, 17 U.S.C. § 105)
  • Members of Congress, their terms, committees and identifiers (The @unitedstates project (from the Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress, the House and the Senate))unitedstates/congress-legislators: legislators, committees and current committee membership · data current to Oct 3, 2026 · loaded Oct 3, 2026 · license: CC0 1.0 (public domain dedication)
  • House roll-call votes (Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives, roll-call vote records · data current to Oct 3, 2026 · loaded Oct 3, 2026 · license: Public domain (U.S. Government work, 17 U.S.C. § 105)
  • Senate roll-call votes and DW-NOMINATE scores (Voteview (UCLA Department of Political Science))Lewis, Jeffrey B., Keith Poole, Howard Rosenthal, Adam Boche, Aaron Rudkin, and Luke Sonnet (2026). Voteview: Congressional Roll-Call Votes Database. https://voteview.com/ · data current to Oct 3, 2026 · loaded Oct 3, 2026 · license: Free to use with the required citation
  • Lobbying disclosures (LD-1 registrations, LD-2 quarterly reports, LD-203 contribution reports) (Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives)Clerk of the House, Lobbying Disclosure Act filings (organizations only; lobbyists' names are not loaded) · data current to Oct 7, 2026 · loaded Oct 7, 2026 · license: Public domain (U.S. Government work, 17 U.S.C. § 105)
  • Positions are shown only where a roll call recorded them; voice votes and unanimous consent record none.
  • Money and votes are shown side by side; neither explains the other.