A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The REDACT Act creates a way for people to sue the United States if their private information is exposed. This applies to victims whose personally identifiable information, medical files, or similar personal files are released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. If a court finds the government failed to redact this information, the affected person can seek damages. The bill allows for statutory or compensatory damages, attorney's fees, and injunctive relief. It also requires the United States to waive its sovereign immunity for these specific lawsuits.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +9
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill creates a direct legal mechanism to punish the government for invading personal privacy through the exposure of private files.
- Scored +8
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The bill provides legal remedies and damages for the unauthorized release of personally identifiable and medical information.
- Scored +5
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
It provides a private cause of action and the right to seek damages for privacy violations by federal agents.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -2
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill forces the federal government to waive sovereign immunity, effectively reducing federal legal protections.
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
The bill may increase government spending through the payment of statutory and compensatory damages to victims.
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill creates a financial liability for the government via damage awards and attorney fees.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Financial Compensation for Privacy Breaches: Victims who suffer a "clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy" can be awarded the greater of $50,000 in statutory damages or the amount of compensatory damages, including emotional distress and pain and suffering. (Section 2, subsection (d)(3)(A)(i))
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Access to Legal Help: The bill ensures that a prevailing person can recover reasonable attorney's fees and costs of litigation, making it easier for individuals to afford a lawyer to hold the government accountable. (Section 2, subsection (d)(3)(A)(ii))
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Immediate Protection: Courts can provide preliminary injunctive relief to stop further harm while a claim is being processed. (Section 2, subsection (d)(3)(B))
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Accountability for Federal Officials: Individuals can bring civil actions specifically against the United States when violations are committed by federal officers, employees, or agents. (Section 2, subsection (d)(2))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Limited Time to Sue: People must start their civil action within 5 years after they first get actual notice of the violation, or 5 years after the date of enactment for earlier violations, meaning those who wait too long lose their right to sue. (Section 2, subsection (d)(5))
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill creates a direct legal mechanism to punish the government for invading personal privacy through the exposure of private files. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — It provides a private cause of action and the right to seek damages for privacy violations by federal agents. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill forces the federal government to waive sovereign immunity, effectively reducing federal legal protections.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would high-income households be better off under this? — Provides a path to financial recovery for victims of privacy breaches. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The provision for attorney's fees allows low-income victims to seek justice without paying high upfront costs. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Provides a path to financial recovery for victims of privacy breaches.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill provides legal remedies and damages for the unauthorized release of personally identifiable and medical information.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — Waiving sovereign immunity for privacy breaches increases potential unplanned federal expenditures. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill creates a financial liability for the government via damage awards and attorney fees. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The bill may increase government spending through the payment of statutory and compensatory damages to victims.
- 7/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/14/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Nancy MaceRepublican · South Carolina