Text of Senate Amendment 4497

Text of Senate Amendment 4497

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 49 (Wednesday, March 18, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 18, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S1232-S1233] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 4497. Mr. SCHIFF submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 1383, to establish the Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the appropriate place, insert the following: [[Page S1233]] SEC. __. PROHIBITION ON DISPLAYING BANNERS, PHOTOGRAPHS, OR POSTERS OF THE SITTING PRESIDENT ON ANY FEDERAL BUILDING. (a) In General.--No public or private funds may be used to display any banner, photograph, or poster larger than 8 inches by 11 inches depicting the sitting President or political slogan from the presidential campaign of the sitting President on the exterior or interior of any public building (as defined in section 3301(a) of title 40, United States Code). (b) Private Right of Action.-- (1) Definition of instance.--In this subsection, the term ``instance'', with respect to a violation of this section, means each discrete act constituting a violation of this section, including each banner, photograph, poster, or political slogan displayed in violation of subsection (a). (2) Cause of action.--Any person, including any Member of Congress, may bring a civil action against the United States, officer, employee, or agent of the United States, or any Federal department or agency for a violation of this section if the violation was committed by an officer, employee, or agent of the United States or any Federal department or agency. (3) Relief.-- (A) In general.--If a person prevails on a claim under this subsection, the court shall award-- (i) for each instance of a violation of this section, the greater of statutory damages of $100,000 and the amount of actual damages; (ii) reasonable attorney's fees and costs of litigation; and (iii) such injunctive or declaratory relief as may be appropriate. (B) Preliminary relief.--On motion by a person bringing a cause of action under paragraph (2), a court may award such preliminary injunctive relief as the court determines appropriate with respect to that claim. (4) Limitations and immunity.-- (A) Period of limitations.--A civil action under this subsection may not be commenced later than the date that is 5 years after the date on which the applicable instance of the violation of this section occurs. (B) No immunity defense.--No officer, employee, or agent of the United States or any Federal department or agency shall be entitled to assert any form of absolute or qualified immunity as a defense to liability under this subsection. (5) Waiver of sovereign immunity.--The United States expressly waives sovereign immunity with respect to an action brought under this subsection. ______