Recognizing the threats to press freedom in the United States in the wake of protests following the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by police in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, reaffirming the centrality of a free and independent press to the health of democracy, and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority of the United States in promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance.

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jun 11, 2020

This resolution expresses support for freedom of the press and opposes the targeting of journalists.

Specifically, the resolution

calls on law enforcement to protect freedom of the press and refrain from targeting journalists and media workers;

calls on government entities to clarify that credentialed press are exempt from curfews enacted in response to protests and public demonstrations;

stresses the need for accountability where law enforcement entities or protesters violate the Constitution, laws, or regulations in their treatment of journalists and media crews during protests; and

reaffirms the centrality of freedom of the press to supporting democracy, exposing corruption, and promoting good governance.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

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Jun 11, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jun 11, 2020
Introduced in House
Jun 11, 2020
Introduced in House

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HRES 1009 · Recognizing the threats to press freedom in the United States in the wake of protests following the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by police in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, reaffirming the centrality of a free and independent press to the health of democracy, and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority of the United States in promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance.

Source last updated: Dec 3, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.Res.999 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Res.999, 116th Congress: Recognizing the threats to press freedom in the United States in the wake of protests following the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by police in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, reaffirming the centrality of a free and independent press to the health of democracy, and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority of the United States in promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-resolution/999

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2020-06-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hres999/BILLS-116hres999ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-03T10:59:39Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.Res.999 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.Res.999 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Res.999, 116th Congress: Recognizing the threats to press freedom in the United States in the wake of protests following the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by police in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, reaffirming the centrality of a free and independent press to the health of democracy, and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority of the United States in promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-resolution/999

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2020-06-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hres999/BILLS-116hres999ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-03T10:59:39Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Res.999 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.Res.999 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Res.999, 116th Congress: Recognizing the threats to press freedom in the United States in the wake of protests following the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by police in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, reaffirming the centrality of a free and independent press to the health of democracy, and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority of the United States in promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-resolution/999

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2020-06-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hres999/BILLS-116hres999ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-03T10:59:39Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Res.999 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.Res.999 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Res.999, 116th Congress: Recognizing the threats to press freedom in the United States in the wake of protests following the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by police in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, reaffirming the centrality of a free and independent press to the health of democracy, and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority of the United States in promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-resolution/999

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2020-06-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hres999/BILLS-116hres999ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-03T10:59:39Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Res.999 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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