Preventing AI Censorship Act

Bill Number

H.R. 9279

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Law

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-06-11: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-06-23T20:57:05Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

This bill, titled the Preventing AI Censorship Act, aims to create a legal pathway for individuals to hold federal employees accountable when they violate First Amendment rights through actions involving artificial intelligence. It focuses on preventing government influence that could lead to the suppression of content or ideas in AI systems based on viewpoint or similar factors.

Key Provisions Outlined

• Right of Action: Federal employees who, while acting under federal authority, engage in "covered conduct" that deprives U.S. citizens of First Amendment rights may be sued directly for damages, injunctive relief, or other remedies.
• Covered Conduct Defined: This includes actions by federal employees to pressure AI providers to ban, alter, or restrict AI-generated content based on viewpoint, political affiliation, religion, or perceived bias. It also covers efforts to modify AI training data, models, or access rules for similar reasons, or to surveil user interactions with AI to chill expression.
• Direct Interference: The bill prohibits federal employees from directly interfering with an individual's lawful use of AI.
• Exceptions and Limits: The law does not allow federal employees to sue their own employer or the government for job-related actions. It also preserves existing law enforcement activities authorized by warrants or court orders.
• Attorney's Fees: Courts may award reasonable legal fees to the winning party (other than the United States) in successful cases.
• Rule of Construction and Severability: The bill does not restrict other constitutional claims and ensures that if any part is ruled invalid, the rest remains in effect.
• Definitions: "Federal employee" covers most executive branch positions (excluding the President and Vice President). "Artificial intelligence" follows the definition in the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020. "AI provider" includes any entity developing or operating AI systems.

Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced

This legislation introduces a new private right of action specifically targeting federal employees for First Amendment violations tied to AI, extending beyond traditional protections. It does not alter general government immunity but creates individual liability for employees in this narrow area, marking a targeted expansion of accountability mechanisms without broadly changing existing constitutional enforcement tools.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Federal agencies and employees may face increased scrutiny and potential lawsuits, possibly leading to more cautious approaches in engaging with AI providers or monitoring AI outputs.
• On Citizens: Individuals gain an additional tool to seek redress for perceived censorship in AI systems, potentially strengthening protections for free expression in emerging technologies.
• On International Relations: The bill has minimal direct provisions affecting foreign entities, though it could indirectly influence how U.S.-based AI providers handle global content standards.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal employees in the executive branch, who could face personal liability.
• Artificial intelligence providers, who may encounter new pressures or legal considerations when interacting with government officials.
• U.S. citizens and users of AI systems, who gain expanded legal options for addressing viewpoint-based restrictions.
• The judicial system, as courts would handle these new types of cases and determine attorney's fees.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

The bill reinforces First Amendment protections by enabling direct suits against individuals rather than the government, which could raise questions about qualified immunity for officials. It includes a severability clause to maintain core elements if challenged, and it explicitly preserves other avenues for constitutional claims. Politically, it targets concerns over government influence on AI content moderation without limiting lawful enforcement activities.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large]

Recent Actions

• 2026-06-11: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2026-06-11: Introduced in House
• 2026-06-11: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Preventing AI Censorship Act — issued 2026-06-11 — PDF (5 pages)