Ellen Corley Research Database
| Bill Title | Bill Number | Sponsor | Latest Action | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protecting Free Speech Act | H.R. 20 | Rep. Greg Steube [R-FL] | Introduced on 01/12/2025 | This bill seeks to ensure that social media platforms cannot ban users based on their political views. It aims to enhance transparency in content moderation and encourage fair treatment. |
| First Amendment Defense Act | Not assigned | Sen. Josh Hawley [R-MO] | Introduced on 06/14/2025 | This legislation aims to protect users from being banned based on their political speech or viewpoints and to crack down on what is perceived as "censorship" by large tech companies. |
| Online Freedom Act | H.R. 290 | Rep. Madison Cawthorn [R-NC] | Introduced on 09/01/2025 | This bill proposes to amend the Communications Decency Act, adding provisions that limit the ability of platforms to remove content or ban users without clear justification. |
| Fairness in Social Media Act | S. 2378 | Sen. Marco Rubio [R-FL] | Introduced on 10/25/2025 | Focuses on preventing discrimination against users' political expression by requiring transparency in moderation policies and mandating a form of due process for users banned from platforms. |
Protecting Free Speech Act: Aims to create a more transparent process, preventing unjust bans primarily based on political viewpoints, thus advocating for free speech online.
First Amendment Defense Act: Focuses on reinforcing First Amendment principles within digital spaces, directly addressing concerns about censorship from private companies.
Online Freedom Act: Seeks to enhance user rights by limiting arbitrary content removal and banning, compelling platforms to provide justifications for their actions.
Fairness in Social Media Act: Promotes equitable treatment of users regarding content moderation, emphasizing the importance of political discourse within digital platforms.
These legislative efforts reflect a growing concern about the power that social media companies wield over free speech and the calls for more accountability and transparency in their moderation practices. As the legal landscape continues to evolve, these bills are pivotal in the ongoing debate surrounding free expression online.