# Plain Language Summary: Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act

This bill would make it illegal for federal employees to push for censorship or help silence people's speech while acting in their official capacity. Specifically, it prohibits federal workers from using their government authority to convince private companies like social media platforms to remove content, add warning labels, or ban users. The bill also prevents federal employees from directly censoring or discouraging someone's speech if that person has a pending application with their agency (like a business applying for a government contract) or is being investigated or audited by that agency.

The restrictions apply differently depending on the employee's job. Most federal workers are prohibited from censoring speech while they're on duty, in government buildings, wearing their uniform, or using government vehicles. However, certain high-level employees—like those working in the White House or presidential appointees who shape national policy—face stricter rules that apply even during their personal time and away from work. The bill includes exceptions for legitimate law enforcement activities, such as combating child exploitation, human trafficking, drug crimes, and protecting classified national security information.

If a federal employee violates these rules, they could face serious consequences including being fired, demoted, banned from federal employment for up to five years, suspended, or reprimanded. They could also be fined up to $10,000 or face a combination of these penalties. The bill defines "censorship" broadly to include ordering the removal of lawful speech from any platform, adding disclaimers or warnings to speech, or removing someone's access to a public platform—unless they're engaged in criminal activity.

Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act

Rep. Comer, James [R-KY-1]

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 influence or advocate for a third party, including a private entity, to censor speech; (2) censoring the speech of any person who has a pending regulatory application with, or is the subject of or a participant in an active enforcement action by, the employee's office; or (3) engaging in censorship while on duty, wearing a uniform, or using official government property. Certain presidential appointees may not censor speech at any time, including outside normal duty hours. Employees are subject to disciplinary action, civil penalties, or both for violations. The bill defines censor or censorship to include ordering or advocating for the removal of lawful speech, the addition of disclaimers, or the restriction of access with respect to any platform (e.g., social media).