End Foreign Abuse of United States Courts Act

This bill would create a federal court procedure to quickly dismiss certain lawsuits brought by foreign governments, their agents, or citizens and companies of listed countries when the lawsuit targets someone's political opinions or protected speech or activity. Listed countries are those named as foreign adversaries in federal regulations or found by the Secretary of State to have a pattern of frivolous lawsuits meant to discourage free speech in the United States. A defendant could file a special motion to dismiss, which would pause most other proceedings, and the court would have to rule within 90 days. A defendant who wins would be presumed entitled to attorneys' fees, could be awarded punitive damages in some cases, and foreign governments could not claim immunity from these payments. Defendants could also move such cases from state court to federal court and appeal right away if the motion is denied.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Jeanne Shaheen Democrat sponsor
• 1 cosponsors