CIVIL LIBERTIES related term(s) Civil Rights; Human Rights

Amendments

FTC: extend, enhance, and revise certain laws on collection, use, and disclosure of personal information of children and establish additional protections (S. 836), S861 [5MR]

Articles and editorials

Massachusetts Jury Convicts Illegal Immigrant of Identity Theft, Stealing Benefits, Voter Fraud, H2132 [11FE]

Un-American Assault on Minnesota—Federal Officials Are Lying. My State’s Corrections Department Honors All Immigration Detainers, S310 [28JA]

Bills and resolutions

Abortion: protect lives of born and preborn persons (see S. 3667), S257 [15JA]

Bureau of Prisons: regulate monitoring of electronic communications between prisoners and attorneys or other legal representative (see S. 3850), S577 [11FE] (see H.R. 7491), H2185 [11FE]

Bureau of the Census: prohibit use of questions on citizenship, nationality, or immigration status in decennial census (see H.R. 8062), H2675 [24MR]

Burma: permit nationals to be eligible for temporary protected status (see H.R. 7014), H655 [12JA]

Commission on Equity and Reconciliation in the Uniformed Services: establish (see S. 3691), S290 [27JA] (see H.R. 7238), H1912 [23JA]

Congo, Democratic Republic of the: condemn all acts of violence, oppression, and abuse against ethnic minorities (see H. Res. 1025), H1921 [30JA]

Consumers: strengthen laws governing personal data and create clear standards and regulations for businesses that collect, process, and use personally identifiable data (see S. 4211), S1614 [25MR]

Courts: establish procedure to dismiss strategic lawsuits against public participation brought by governments, agents, instrumentalities, and foreign entities engaged in pattern of frivolous litigation against U.S. persons (see S. 3983), S802 [4MR]

——— establish task force to address legal and ethical issues related to use of artificial intelligence (AI) speech-to-text technology and automatic speech recognition technology in U.S. judicial system (see S. 4154), S1367 [19MR] (see H.R. 7997), H2620 [19MR]

——— excuse breastfeeding mothers summoned for jury duty in Federal or Superior Court of the District of Columbia from service (see H.R. 7946), H2530 [16MR]

——— modify delayed notice requirements relative to certain warrants (see S. 3663), S256 [15JA]

——— provide for cause of action enabling recovery of any person harmed by limitation on ability to carry firearm in different jurisdiction (see H.R. 7935), H2529 [16MR]

——— remove defense of qualified immunity in any action by State or local officials, including police officers, that violates legal and constitutionally secured rights (see S. 3625), S162 [13JA] (see H.R. 7046), H718 [13JA]

——— require notice of criminal surveillance orders be eventually provided to targets, reform use of non-disclosure orders to providers, and prohibit indefinite sealing of criminal surveillance orders (see S. 3918), S681 [25FE] (see H.R. 7738), H2332 [26FE]

Crime: ensure due process of law in civil forfeiture proceedings (see H.R. 7638), H2234 [20FE]

——— establish protections against digital impersonation fraud (see S. 3982), S802 [4MR] (see H.R. 7786), H2419 [4MR]

——— increase mens rea (guilty mind) requirements to protect whistleblowers and journalists for offenses under Espionage Act with requirement to prove specific intent to injure U.S. or aid foreign power (see H.R. 7930), H2483 [12MR]

——— prohibit coercing protected adults to send or otherwise transmit intimate visual depictions (see H.R. 7715), H2328 [25FE]

——— prohibit doxing of personally identifiable information of special operations personnel and certain other Federal law enforcement officers and Dept. of Defense personnel (see S. 3651), S256 [15JA] (see H.R. 7136), H924 [16JA]

Dept. of HHS: allow individuals to obtain copy of their protected health information at no cost in certain circumstances (see H.R. 7790), H2419 [4MR]

——— study strategies to apply artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in health care industry to improve administrative and clerical work and preserve privacy and security of patient data (see H.R. 7064), H892 [14JA]

Dept. of Homeland Security: establish clear standards, training requirements, and reporting relating to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel (see S. 3683), S257 [15JA]

——— limit use of facial recognition (see S. 3779), S489 [4FE] (see H.R. 7363), H2030 [4FE]

——— mandate reporting requirements pertaining to detainees in immigration detention facilities (see H.R. 7347), H2029 [4FE]

——— prohibit funding to certain State Homeland Security Grant program recipients to carry out civil immigration enforcement activities (see H.R. 7982), H2596 [18MR]

——— prohibit use of funds for acquisition, or utilizing of, full-body restraints (see H.R. 7709), H2328 [25FE]

——— provide civil remedy for any individual whose rights have been violated by officer or agent of U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (see S. 3745), S377 [29JA] (see H.R. 7297), H1921 [30JA]

——— provide standards for facilities at which aliens in custody are detained (see S. 3702), S290 [27JA]

——— reform qualified immunity standards for officers and agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or U.S. Customs and Border Protection engaged in law enforcement activities (see H.R. 7284), H1920 [30JA]

——— reform U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations to ensure oversight, accountability, institutional integrity, and full respect for constitutional law (see H. Res. 1030), H1949 [2FE]

——— require policy on use of force and deescalation by law enforcement officers (see H.R. 7119), H920 [15JA]

——— require transparency relative to certain use of force incidents (see H.R. 7984), H2596 [18MR]

——— require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel engaged in law or immigration enforcement activities to wear clearly visible and scannable QR code (see H.R. 7233), H1350 [22JA]

——— require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to perform initial health screening on detainees (see H.R. 7335), H1975 [3FE]

——— return identification documents to individuals upon their release from custody (see H.R. 7708), H2328 [25FE]

Dept. of Justice: provide grants to States, local government, and organizations to support recruitment, training, and development of staff and infrastructure to support due process rights of individuals facing removal (see S. 4142), S1367 [19MR]

Dept. of State: require comprehensive report on U.S. efforts to address religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria (see H.R. 7457), H2117 [10FE]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: carry out efforts to inform veterans of their rights relative to receipt of health care, benefits, and services under current law (see S. 3653), S256 [15JA] (see H.R. 7112), H919 [15JA]

——— prohibit from entering into contract pursuant to which contractor may sell sensitive personal information and ensure protection of personal information in certain contracts (see H.R. 7241), H1914 [27JA] (see H.R. 7280), H1920 [30JA]

Employment: prevent workplace harassment, end mandatory arbitration and pre-employment non-disclosure agreements, expand civil rights protections, empower workers who report harassment, and eliminate tipped minimum wage (see S. 3865), S609 [12FE] (see H.R. 7583), H2224 [13FE]

Financial institutions: establish government-wide approach to stopping identity fraud and theft in financial services industry (see H.R. 7270), H1915 [27JA]

Firearms: prevent purchase of ammunition by prohibited purchasers (see S. 3873), S609 [12FE] (see H.R. 7564), H2219 [12FE]

——— prohibit Federal funding of State firearm ownership databases (see S. 3916), S681 [25FE] (see H.R. 7678), H2326 [25FE]

——— prohibit penalties on eligible individuals carrying firearms in public and invalidate existing State or local laws or restrictions that criminalize, penalize, or otherwise dissuade carrying of firearms (see S. 4013), S881 [5MR]

——— prohibit unauthorized possession at Federal election site (see S. 4121), S1090 [17MR] (see H.R. 7965), H2550 [17MR]

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: extend certain authorities (see H.R. 8035), H2674 [24MR]

——— implement reforms relating to foreign intelligence surveillance authorities (see S. 4082), S1046 [12MR] (see H.R. 7901), H2481 [12MR]

——— reform certain authorities and provide greater transparency and oversight (see S. 3893), S626 [23FE]

Government: prohibit from attacking individuals and organizations for their political speech or participation (see S. 3646), S220 [14JA] (see H.R. 7060), H892 [14JA]

Haiti: protect rights of women and girls to ensure success for transition from crisis to stability, condemn failure to center women’s leadership and distinct needs, and call for urgent measures to secure human rights (see S. Res. 599), S510 [5FE] (see H. Res. 1018), H1350 [22JA]

House of Representatives: defend and uphold rights and protections guaranteed by Fourteenth Amendment to U.S. Constitution to ensure that our democracy works for all of us, not just powerful few (see H. Res. 1038), H2031 [4FE]

Immigration: ensure Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures are protected during immigration enforcement actions (see H.R. 7939), H2529 [16MR]

——— require enforcement reforms (see H.R. 7870), H2476 [9MR]

——— terminate temporary protected status designations for certain countries (see H.R. 6946), H11 [6JA]

Iran: condemn for violent repression of peaceful protesters, documented pattern of human rights abuses, and sponsorship of extremist militant groups across Middle East (see H. Res. 1031), H1949 [2FE]

——— express support for Iranian people protesting for free and democratic Iran and condemn use of violence to suppress protests (see S. Res. 606), S578 [11FE] (see H. Res. 993), H718 [13JA] (see H. Res. 1008), H924 [16JA]

——— promote human rights, Internet freedom and accountability in Iran (see S. 3900), S650 [24FE]

——— support human rights and Internet freedom and hold Iranian regime accountable for repression of Iranian people (see H.R. 7622), H2234 [20FE]

National Freedom Day: observance (see S. Res. 603), S552 [10FE]

National Slam the Scam Day: designate (see S. Res. 627), S882 [5MR]

National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month: observance (see S. Res. 603), S552 [10FE]

Reinforcing Nicaragua’s Adherence to Conditions for Electoral Reform (RENACER) Act: reauthorize and amend (see H.R. 7055), H892 [14JA]

SSA: request President furnish information to House of Representatives relative to Dept. of Government Efficiency access to and usage of NUMIDENT and other personally identifiable information in SSA possession (see H. Res. 1059), H2186 [11FE]

Technology: prohibit use of facial recognition mobile phone applications outside ports of entry (see H.R. 7124), H920 [15JA]

Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the U.S.: establish (see H.R. 7325), H1975 [3FE]

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom: extend and authorize appropriations (see S. 3984), S802 [4MR]

U.S. Digital Privacy Agency: establish to enforce user rights and data collection, possession, disclosure, and maintenance obligations by information technology entities relative to privacy of personal information (see H.R. 8014), H2621 [19MR]

Venezuela: permit nationals to be eligible for temporary protected status (H.R. 3310), consideration (see H. Res. 1046), H2095 [9FE]

Voting: modernize voter registration, promote access to voting for disabled individuals, and protect right to vote (see S. 4203), S1614 [25MR] (see H.R. 8078), H2710 [25MR]

Remarks in House

Abortion: limit restrictions on provision of abortion services to protect women’s right to determine whether to continue or end pregnancy and protect health providers ability to provide reproductive services (H.R. 12), H1134 [21JA]

——— pro choice versus right to life, H1338–H1343 [22JA]

Bureau of the Census: prohibit use of questions on citizenship, nationality, or immigration status in decennial census (H.R. 8062), E254 [24MR]

Congo, Democratic Republic of the: condemn all acts of violence, oppression, and abuse against ethnic minorities (H. Res. 1025), E82 [30JA]

Courts: excuse breastfeeding mothers summoned for jury duty in Federal or Superior Court of the District of Columbia from service (H.R. 7946), E217 [16MR]

——— limit application of defenses based on passage of time and other non-merits defenses relative to claims under Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act (S. 1884), H2497–H2500 [16MR]

——— remove defense of qualified immunity in any action by State or local officials, including police officers, that violates legal and constitutionally secured rights, H649 [12JA]

Crime: increase mens rea (guilty mind) requirements to protect whistleblowers and journalists for offenses under Espionage Act with requirement to prove specific intent to injure U.S. or aid foreign power (H.R. 7930), H2555 [18MR]

Dept. of Homeland Security: establish clear standards, training requirements, and reporting relating to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, H1953, H1956, H1965 [3FE]

——— reform qualified immunity standards for officers and agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or U.S. Customs and Border Protection engaged in law enforcement activities (H.R. 7284), H1992 [4FE]

——— require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to perform initial health screening on detainees (H.R. 7335), H2018 [4FE]

Dept. of Labor: prevent wage theft and assist in recovery of stolen wages, administer grants to prevent wage and hour violations, require timely provision of pay stubs and paychecks, and strengthen retaliation protections, H688 [13JA]

Dept. of State: require report on Internet freedom in Iran (H.R. 6469), H927 [20JA]

District of Columbia: tribute to International Religious Freedom Summit, H1970 [3FE]

Freedom of speech: oppose censorship and call for maintaining U.S. standards of protected speech over those prevalent in certain European countries, H2209 [12FE]

Haiti: permit nationals to be eligible for temporary protected status, H1939 [2FE], H1992 [4FE]

Iran: express support for Iranian people protesting for free and democratic Iran and condemn use of violence to suppress protests, H620 [12JA], H927 [20JA]

Law enforcement: hold accountable for misconduct in court, improve transparency through data collection, and reform police training and policies (H.R. 5361), H1989 [4FE]

Socialism: denounce, H619 [12JA]

Supreme Court: anniversary of Roe v. Wade decision, H1131 [21JA], H1335, H1339–H1343 [22JA]

——— decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization relative to abortion, H1339–H1343 [22JA]

Trump, President: deployment of Federal agents and/or military personnel to conduct law enforcement operations in U.S. cities, H2016–H2021 [4FE]

Voting: prohibit transfer of personal data to Dept. of Homeland Security relative to efforts to require proof of U.S citizenship to register to vote in Federal elections, H2149 [11FE]

Women: ensure protection of reproductive health rights, H1131 [21JA]

Remarks in Senate

Abortion: pro choice versus right to life, S199–S201 [14JA]

——— protect lives of born and preborn persons (S. 3667), S284 [27JA]

Children and youth: provide families with tools, safeguards, and transparency needed to protect against threats to children’s health and well-being online (S. 1748), S667 [25FE]

Courts: improve rights to relief for individuals affected by non-consensual activities involving intimate digital forgeries (S. 1837), S143–S146 [13JA]

——— improve rights to relief for individuals affected by non-consensual activities involving intimate digital forgeries (S. 1837), unanimous-consent request, S144 [13JA]

Dept. of Homeland Security: establish clear standards, training requirements, and reporting relating to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, S401 [30JA], S449 [3FE], S476 [4FE]

——— establish clear standards, training requirements, and reporting relating to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel (S. 3683), S306 [28JA]

——— require immigration enforcement officers to show visible identification, prohibit from wearing masks, and adopt stricter use-of-force policies, S869 [5MR], S981, S982, S987, S989–S991 [11MR], S1027, S1028 [12MR], S1326 [19MR]

Estonia: independence anniversary, S657 [25FE]

Foreign countries: call for release of political prisoners, S1594 [25MR]

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: implement reforms relating to foreign intelligence surveillance authorities, S949–S951 [10MR]

——— reform certain authorities and provide greater transparency and oversight (S. 3893), S1022 [12MR]

FTC: extend, enhance, and revise certain laws on collection, use, and disclosure of personal information of children and establish additional protections (S. 836), S860–S869 [5MR]

Honduras: call for prosecution and sentencing of those involved in death of environmental activist Berta Caceres, S728 [2MR]

Iran: express support for Iranian people protesting for free and democratic Iran and condemn use of violence to suppress protests, S205 [14JA], S227 [15JA], S539 [10FE]

Kelly, Senator: lawsuit against Sec. of Defense Hegseth for initiating disciplinary proceedings in retaliation for criticism of Trump administration, S124 [12JA]

Kosovo: independence anniversary, S691 [26FE]

Lemon, Don: arrest relative to coverage of protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, MN, S401 [30JA]

National Freedom Day: observance (S. Res. 603), S357 [29JA], S557 [10FE]

National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month: observance (S. Res. 603), S357 [29JA], S557 [10FE]

Privacy: prevent law enforcement and intelligence agencies from obtaining subscriber or customer records in exchange for anything of value and address communications and records in possession of intermediary Internet providers, S304 [28JA], S949–S951 [10MR]

Trump, President: evaluation of administration, S544 [10FE]

——— evaluation of administration relative to constitution and rule of law, S303 [28JA]

——— evaluation of administration relative to democracy and rule of law, S561–S564 [11FE], S589 [12FE]

Reports filed

Accreditation for College Excellence Act: Committee on Education and Workforce (House) (H.R. 2516) (H. Rept. 119–444), H717 [13JA]

Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate) (S. 836) (S. Rept. 119–99), S290 [27JA]

Feasibility Review of Emerging Equipment for Digital Open Media (FREEDOM) Act: Committee on Foreign Relations (Senate) (S. 3360), S552 [10FE]

Financial Reporting Threshold Modernization Act: Committee on Financial Services (House) (H.R. 1799) (H. Rept. 119–556), H2620 [19MR]

Taxpayer Notification and Privacy Act: Committee on Ways and Means (House) (H.R. 6495) (H. Rept. 119–427), H133 [7JA]

Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act: Committee on Education and Workforce (House) (H.R. 1723) (H. Rept. 119–458), H923 [16JA]

Statements

Termination of Temporary Protected Status for Haitian Nationals: Representative Pressley, E99 [4FE]

Testimonies

Termination of Temporary Protected Status for Haitian Nationals: Several Constituents, E101, E103–E107, E108 [4FE]

Texts of

S. 836, Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act, S861–S868 [5MR]

S. 1837, Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits (DEFIANCE) Act, S145 [13JA]

S. 1884, Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act, H2497 [16MR]

S. Res. 599, protect rights of women and girls in Haiti to ensure success for transition from crisis to stability, condemn failure to center women’s leadership and distinct needs, and call for urgent measures to secure human rights, S513 [5FE]

S. Res. 603, National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month and National Freedom Day, S555 [10FE]

S. Res. 606, express support for Iranian people protesting for free and democratic Iran and condemn use of violence to suppress protests, S582 [11FE]

S. Res. 627, National Slam the Scam Day, S887 [5MR]