Protecting Our Constitution and Communities Act

Legal Recourse for Withheld Funds: Any person who is aggrieved by the withholding of required budget authority can institute a civil action in a U.S. district court for preventive relief, such as injunctions or restraining orders (Section 1101(a)).

Financial Compensation for Harmed Individuals: Aggrieved persons may recover compensatory and punitive damages, reasonable attorney's fees, and costs, with a minimum damage amount of $1,000 per person per violation (Section 1101(b)(1)).

Increased Accountability for Bad Faith Violations: If a court finds a violation occurred in bad faith, the court shall award damages equal to three times the amount otherwise awarded (Section 1101(b)(2)).

Protection for Local and Tribal Governments: States, counties, cities, and Tribal governments have the right to institute civil actions and seek legal relief if they are aggrieved by the withholding of budget authority (Section 1102(a)).

Strengthened Oversight: The Comptroller General's legal interpretations regarding the Act will be accorded substantial deference, and the Executive Branch must provide timely access to records to facilitate reviews (Section 4).

Personal Liability for Federal Employees: Federal employees, specifically political appointees or special government employees, can be held personally liable for the payment of damages in the case of a knowing violation of the Act (Section 1101(b)(3) and Section 1102(b)(3)).

Removal of Legal Protections for Officials: Federal employees who violate this Act will not be immune from actions in a U.S. district court under the Tenth Amendment, the Eleventh Amendment, the doctrine of sovereign immunity, or the doctrine of qualified immunity (Section 1101(b)(4) and Section 1102(b)(4)).