Dems advance "No Kings Act" as bold check on federal power
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
In the waning weeks of Colorado's legislative session, Democratic lawmakers are poised to debate a provocative new bill, dubbed the "No Kings Act."
Why it matters: The legislation amounts to the body's most forceful pushback against the Trump administration this term, given its far-reaching implications to sue federal officials.
State of play: Named for the anti-Trump protests, Senate Bill 176 would make federal authorities legally liable for violating a person's civil rights, mirroring the existing law that applies to state and local officials.
- The measure would allow a person to sue federal officials for actions such as obstructing their ability to vote or maliciously targeting them in a tax audit.
The fine print: The measure continues to allow federal authorities to assert immunity, as recognized by federal law.
- It also permits a judge to award financial damages and payment of attorneys' fees to the winning side.
The big picture: The effort echoes laws proposed in more than a dozen states and joins an expanding movement to make it easier to sue the Trump administration and block its agenda.
What they're saying: "We've seen … examples of abuses of constitutional rights, or at least threats that go well outside the immigration context," said state Sen. Mike Weissman (D-Aurora), who is a bill sponsor with Sen. Julie Gonzales (D-Denver).
- The legislation would provide constitutional protections from "a federal regime weaponizing the apparatus of government against disfavored organizations or peoples," he added.
The other side: Local governments and district attorneys are already objecting, saying the legislation would spur more lawsuits against state and local officials and cost taxpayers millions.
- "The problem is, federal employees will have protections. And we know that there is a zero-to-none chance that you will actually be able to successfully sue a federal agent if this bill were to pass," Jessica Dotter of the Colorado District Attorneys' Council told CBS Colorado.