First Amendment

​A BILL

​To reaffirm the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression, and to explicitly prohibit any and all actions by the federal government to abridge, coerce, or punish speech protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

​SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

​This Act may be cited as the "First Amendment Restoration and Protection Act of 2025."

​SECTION 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

​(a) FINDINGS. Congress finds the following:

​(1) The First Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the freedom of speech, a cornerstone of American democracy and a vital check on government power.

(2) This fundamental right protects a broad range of expression, including political, social, and cultural commentary, even when such speech is unpopular, critical, or offensive to some.

(3) Recent actions by various government agencies and officials have demonstrated an alarming trend of targeting and punishing individuals for their protected speech, including federal employees and foreign nationals.

(4) This includes using administrative and disciplinary measures, employment termination, and visa revocation to sanction individuals for expressing views that are critical of the government or public figures.

(5) Such actions create a chilling effect on public discourse, undermine the constitutional rights of all citizens, and violate the spirit of free inquiry and debate essential to a healthy republic.

(6) The purpose of the First Amendment is to protect speech from government abridgment, and any government action that intimidates, coerces, or punishes private citizens for their speech is a direct violation of this principle.

​(b) PURPOSE. The purpose of this Act is to unequivocally reaffirm the constitutional prohibition against government censorship and to provide specific, enforceable protections against federal government overreach in the realm of free speech.

​SECTION 3. PROHIBITION OF GOVERNMENT ACTION.

​(a) GENERAL PROHIBITION. No department, agency, officer, or employee of the Federal Government shall use any official authority, including but not limited to, disciplinary action, termination of employment, or revocation of a visa, to punish, coerce, or otherwise retaliate against any person for engaging in speech that is protected under the First Amendment.

​(b) PROHIBITED ACTIONS. Prohibited actions under this section include, but are not limited to:

​(1) The termination, suspension, or demotion of a federal employee for social media posts, public statements, or other expressions of opinion that do not relate to their official duties and are not otherwise subject to established legal exceptions to First Amendment protection (such as incitement to imminent lawless action or true threats).

(2) The revocation or denial of a visa, permanent residency, or citizenship of a foreign national based on their lawful, protected speech.

(3) The use of federal resources, including grants, funding, or official communications, to pressure private entities, such as social media companies or employers, to censor, deplatform, or take disciplinary action against individuals for their protected speech.

(4) The creation or maintenance of any government list or database intended to track or monitor citizens for their protected political or social expression.

​SECTION 4. ENFORCEMENT AND REMEDIES.

​(a) RIGHT OF ACTION. Any person who has been subject to a violation of this Act may bring a civil action in an appropriate United States district court against the relevant department, agency, or official.

​(b) RELIEF. The court may grant appropriate relief, including:

​(1) Injunctive relief to prevent or stop any further violations of this Act.

(2) Reinstatement to a person's employment or restoration of a visa, if applicable.

(3) Compensatory damages, including back pay, for any harm suffered as a result of the violation.

(4) Reasonable attorney's fees and litigation costs.

​SECTION 5. SEVERABILITY.

​If any provision of this Act, or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act and the application of the provisions to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

​SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.

​This Act shall take effect 90 days after the date of its enactment.