Time to Restore Accountability: Vote Yes on the Bivens Act

I am writing as your constituent to urge you to support the Bivens Act, reintroduced last November by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Representatives Hank Johnson and Jamie Raskin. This important legislation would restore a critical principle of accountability in our justice system by ensuring that federal officials can be held liable for violating constitutional rights, just as state officials already can under Section 1983. The bill is remarkably straightforward—it simply amends Section 1983 to clarify that its protections extend to actions by “officials of the United States.” This small but powerful change would close a long-standing gap in accountability that has allowed federal officers to avoid responsibility for misconduct that would clearly be unconstitutional if committed by state or local officials. Upholding the Constitution should not depend on the badge one wears or the agency one serves. Supporting the Bivens Act affirms that no public official is above the law and that individuals’ rights deserve equal protection at every level of government. I respectfully urge you to co-sponsor and champion this bill as a necessary step toward fairness, justice, and accountability for all. Thank you for your attention to this issue and for your continued service to our community.