Bivens Act of 2025

# Bivens Act of 2025 Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The Bivens Act of 2025 aims to clarify and strengthen the legal rights of people who believe they've been wronged by federal employees. Currently, under a 1971 court decision called "Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents," people can sometimes sue federal agents (like FBI or customs officers) directly for violating their constitutional rights. However, courts have increasingly limited when these lawsuits are allowed.

This bill would likely restore or expand those legal rights, making it easier for individuals to hold federal agents accountable in court. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** This bill primarily affects federal agents and the citizens who interact with them. It would impact anyone who believes federal law enforcement or other federal employees violated their constitutional rights—such as through illegal searches, excessive force, or wrongful arrest. Without seeing the full text, the bill likely addresses limits that courts have placed on Bivens lawsuits and may specify circumstances where these lawsuits can proceed. **Current Status** The bill is currently in committee (S 3187, 119th Congress), sponsored by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.