PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jun 4, 2020
Curtailing Insurrection act Violations of Individuals' Liberties Act or the CIVIL Act
This bill prohibits the President from invoking authority to use military force to enforce federal authority or suppress an insurrection in a state unless a certification is made to Congress by the President, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Justice that a state governor has requested such assistance or that the state is unable or unwilling to suppress such an insurrection. The President must consult with Congress, in every instance possible, before invoking the authority to use military force.
The bill terminates the authority to use military force to suppress an insurrection after 14 days unless Congress enacts a joint resolution extending such authority. It also sets forth provisions for expedited consideration of a joint resolution in the House of Representative and the Senate.
The bill allows individuals or entities who have been injured by, or have a credible fear of injury from, the use of military force to bring a civil action for declaratory or injunctive relief.
People & committees
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT] · D–CT
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Jan 19, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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