Restore the Right to Hold Federal Agents Accountable in Court

The Supreme Court has restricted the right to sue federal agents in three decisions since 2017.

A letter to your members of Congress. Facts checked June 10, 2026.

The Letter

Subject Congress Must Restore the Right to Sue Federal Officials Who Violate the Constitution

The Supreme Court has gutted Bivens in three decisions since 2017, leaving federal agents with near-total immunity when they violate constitutional rights. ICE agents, FBI agents, and Border Patrol can use excessive force, conduct illegal searches, and cause serious harm with almost no civil recourse for the people they hurt. Vermont passed a state law in 2026 allowing residents to sue federal officials in state court because Congress has never filled this gap.

Pass legislation restoring a federal cause of action against federal officials who violate Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights. Federal agents who break the law should be accountable. Right now, in most contexts, they are not.

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Call Your Representative

U.S. Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121

I'm calling about federal agent accountability and the collapse of Bivens.
The Supreme Court has restricted the right to sue federal agents in three decisions since 2017. Federal officials who conduct illegal searches, use excessive force, or violate constitutional rights now have near-total immunity in most cases.
Vermont just passed a state law allowing residents to sue federal agents in state court because Congress has never filled this gap. Every state should not have to do this individually.
Please support legislation restoring a federal cause of action against federal officials who violate constitutional rights. Federal agents should be accountable to the same legal standards as everyone else.
I'm a constituent and I vote.

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The Facts Behind the Ask

3 decisions Supreme Court cases that restricted Bivens since 2017: Ziglar v. Abbasi, Hernandez v. Mesa, Egbert v. Boule. Federal agents now have near-total immunity in most new contexts. (source)
H.849 Vermont law creating a state cause of action to sue federal officials for excessive force and illegal searches — passed because Congress has not acted (source)
1971 Year the Supreme Court established Bivens, the federal right to sue federal agents for constitutional violations — now nearly eliminated after three narrowing decisions (source)

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