April 29, 2026
Mr. Ogles (for himself, Ms. Boebert, Mr. Clyde, Mr. Crane, Mr. Gosar, and Mr. Weber of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
To prohibit the use of funds to implement, administer, or enforce measures requiring certain employees to refer to an individual by the preferred pronouns of such individual or a name other than the legal name of such individual, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Safeguarding Honest Speech Act of 2026
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Sec. 2. No Federal funds for compelled language
(a) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no funds may be used for the purpose of implementing, administering, or enforcing any rule, policy, guidance, recommendation, or memoranda requiring an employee or contractor of any Federal agency or Department to use—
(1)
another person’s preferred pronouns if they are incompatible with such a person’s sex; or
(2)
a name other than a person’s legal name when referring to such a person.
(b) Enforcement
(1) In general
All Federal agencies and Departments shall ensure that, not later than 30 days following a written notice from any employee or contractor regarding an alleged violation of subsection (a), a formal response to the notice is issued to the employee or contractor.
(2) Private right of action
In the case that the formal response in subsection (a) does not represent a satisfactory outcome for a Federal employee or contractor, any employee or contractor aggrieved by a violation of subsection (a) may commence a civil action against the Federal agency or Department responsible for the alleged violation.
(3) Relief
In any action under this subsection, the court may award appropriate relief, including—
(A)
temporary, preliminary, or permanent injunctive relief;
(B)
compensatory damages;
(C)
punitive or exemplary damages, which may not exceed $100,000; and
(D)
reasonable fees for attorneys.
(4) Statute of limitations
An action under this subsection shall be brought not later than one year after the date on which the alleged violation of subsection (a) occurred.
(c) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Female
The term female refers to an individual who has, had, will have, or would have, but for a developmental or genetic anomaly or historical accident, the reproductive system that at some point produces, transports, and utilizes eggs for fertilization.
(2) Male
The term male refers to an individual who has, had, will have, or would have, but for a developmental or genetic anomaly or historical accident, the reproductive system that at some point produces, transports, and utilizes sperm for fertilization.
(3) Sex
The term sex refers to biological sex, either male or female.
(4) Person
The term person refers to a natural person.