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H.R. 7196: Right to PROTEST Act of 2020

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H.R. 7196: Right to PROTEST Act of 2020

116th Congress · introduced 2020-06-15 · Crime and Law Enforcement · Latest: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2020-06-15 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Right to PROTEST Act of 2020

Plain summary

Right to PROTEST Act of 2020 This bill modifies the criminal civil rights statute that prohibits the deprivation of rights under color of law. Currently, the second prong of the prohibition bars the application of different punishments, pains, or penalties based on an individual's alien status, color, or race. This bill specifies that the use of a riot control agent (e.g., tear gas) without a prior clear and audible warning is a punishment, pain, or penalty.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Right to PROTEST Act of 2020

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12] · 8 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Terri A. Sewell (D-AL), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Jahana Hayes (D-CT)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12] reported raising $483,375 (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (2)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Statute
A written law passed by a legislature. A statute can be changed by a later law; changing a constitution needs an amendment.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong116-hr7196 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong116 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong116