Free Speech Protection Act

S. 188, the Free Speech Protection Act, would prohibit federal employees and contractors from directing or pressuring online platforms to censor speech protected by the First Amendment. The bill would prevent government officials from requesting that social media companies remove content, label posts as misinformation, or limit the reach of protected speech. It would also create a private right of action allowing individuals whose speech was affected to pursue civil claims. The bill would require federal agencies to report communications with platform representatives and would terminate the Department of Homeland Security's Disinformation Governance Board. Additionally, it would prohibit federal agencies from awarding grants related to misinformation or disinformation efforts. Currently, the bill is under consideration by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.