H.Res. 999: Recognizing the threats to press freedom in the United States in the wake of protests following the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by police in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, reaffirming the centrality of a free and independent press to the health of democracy, and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority of the United States in promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance.

H.Res. 999: Recognizing the threats to press freedom in the United States in the wake of protests following the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by police in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, reaffirming the centrality of a free and independent press to the health of democracy, and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority of the United States in promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance.

116th Congress · introduced 2020-06-11 · Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues · Latest: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2020-06-11 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
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.
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

Recognizing the threats to press freedom in the United States in the wake of protests following the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by police in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, reaffirming the centrality of a free and independent press to the health of democracy, and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority of the United States in promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance.

Plain summary

This resolution expresses support for freedom of the press and opposes the targeting of journalists. Specifically, the resolution calls on law enforcement to protect freedom of the press and refrain from targeting journalists and media workers; calls on government entities to clarify that credentialed press are exempt from curfews enacted in response to protests and public demonstrations; stresses the need for accountability where law enforcement entities or protesters violate the Constitution, laws, or regulations in their treatment of journalists and media crews during protests; and reaffirms the centrality of freedom of the press to supporting democracy, exposing corruption, and promoting good governance.

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

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

A Yea supports adopting this resolution.

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

Recognizing the threats to press freedom in the United States in the wake of protests following the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by police in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, reaffirming the centrality of a free and independent press to the health of democracy, and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority of the United States in promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5] · 20 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Adam B. Schiff (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5] reported raising $1.3 million (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 (4)

Exemption: A rule that removes certain people, property or activities from a tax or requirement.
Resolution: A formal statement or decision by a legislative body. Simple resolutions often only express an opinion or set rules for one chamber; they do not become law.
Roll-call vote: A vote where each member's position is recorded by name, so the public can see how every member voted. "Yea" means yes, "Nay" means no, "Present" means the member was there but did not take a side.
Rulemaking: The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-116hres999.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/116/hres>

Record fed-us-cong116-hres999 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong116 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong116