Protecting Political Expression Act of 2020

Civil rights crimes— Section 245 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking “or national origin” each place it appears and inserting “, national origin, or political affiliation (as such term is defined in the Protecting Political Expression Act of 2020)”.

Damage to religious property— Section 247(c) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking “or ethnic characteristics” and inserting “ethnic characteristics, or political affiliation (as such term is defined in the Protecting Political Expression Act of 2020)”.

Hate crime acts— Section 249 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting “political affiliation,” after “actual or perceived” each place it appears.

Intimidation in fair housing— Section 901 of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3631) is amended by striking “or national origin” each place it appears and inserting “national origin, or political affiliation (as such term is defined in the Protecting Political Expression Act of 2020)”.

Sentencing enhancements for hate crimes— Section 280003(a) of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (28 U.S.C. 994 note) is amended by striking “or sexual orientation” and inserting “, sexual orientation, or political affiliation (as such term is defined in the Protecting Political Expression Act of 2020)”.

Data collection— The Attorney General shall collect data on instances of alleged offenses under section 245 of title 18, United States Code, committed on the basis of political affiliation, including details about the alleged offense and its outcome, including demographic information of victim and the accused.

Report— The Attorney General shall submit to Congress, on an annual basis, for the 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, a report on the data collected under subsection (a), including an assessment of why such offenses are occurring, and recommendations on how to prevent such offenses. Reports under this subsection may not contain any information that may reveal the identity of an individual crime victim.

in section 703, by striking “or national origin” each place it appears and inserting “national origin, or political affiliation (as such term is defined in the Protecting Political Expression Act of 2020)”; and

in section 704, by striking “or national origin” and inserting “national origin, or political affiliation (as such term is defined in the Protecting Political Expression Act of 2020)”.

Joining, belonging to, or withdrawing from any political party, political action committee, or super-PAC.

Expressing support for, opposition to, or indifference toward a matter of controverted political interest.

Contributing, whether financially or in-kind, to any ballot question, referendum, legislation, political candidate, political party, political action committee, or super-PAC.

Endorsing or expressing support for, opposition to, or indifference toward any ballot question, referendum, legislation, political candidate, political party, political action committee, or super-PAC.