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History and Tradition Protection Act of 2023
H.R. 425, 118th Congress
- Status
- In committee
- Introduced
- 01/20/2023
- Cosponsors
- 4
- Latest action
- 01/20/2023
About this bill
- Official title
- History and Tradition Protection Act of 2023
- Sponsor
- Mike Johnson (R-LA)
- Introduced in
- House
- Policy area
- Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
- Committees
- Judiciary Committee
- Latest action
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Summary
Congressional Research Service, Introduced in House (01/20/2023)
History and Tradition Protection Act of 2023 This bill limits the types of relief that may be awarded in civil suits that involve violations of the Constitution's Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from establishing a religion.
Current law provides a statutory civil cause of action against state and local government actors for violations of constitutional rights, also known as Section 1983 lawsuits. The bill limits relief for Section 1983 lawsuits that involve violations of the Establishment Clause to injunctive and declaratory relief (i.e., nonmonetary relief) and prohibits the award of attorneys' fees in these cases, including those that involve monuments, public buildings, official seals, and government proceedings. The bill applies the same restrictions to similar lawsuits against federal agencies.
Actions
Newest first
- 01/20/2023 · House
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 01/20/2023
Introduced in House
Subjects: Civil actions and liability, First Amendment rights, Government liability, Legal fees and court costs, Religion, State and local government operations.
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office, GovInfo Bill Status; Congressional Research Service summaries · Last updated 01/20/2023