First Amendment

Bill Introduced in Congress To Codify the First Amendment Right To Film the Feds and Sue for Violations

Civil liberties groups say recording the police is core First Amendment activity. The Right to Record Act of 2026 would create a right to sue federal officers who violate it.

C.J. Ciaramella | 6.8.2026 3:05 PM

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Two Democratic lawmakers introduced a bill in Congress today that would create a right to sue federal law enforcement officers who stop someone from filming or observing police activity.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D–Conn.) and Rep. Maxwell Frost (D–Fla.) introduced the "Right to Record Act of 2026," which they say would create new consequences for individual federal officers who violate a person's First Amendment right to document and record police.

The bill's text was not immediately available, but according to a summary of the bill published by Frost's office, the legislation would create a right to sue a federal law enforcement or immigration officer for "preventing or........

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