Rep. Nancy Mace(@RepNancyMace):Survivors should never have to choose between their voice and their bank account. Today, we introduced the Speak Your Truth Act to make abusers PAY for suing survivors into silence. Under the bill, a survivor who prevails in a defamation or libel case brought against them in federal court would be entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, paid by the plaintiff. Defending a defamation suit can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Many survivors stay silent rather than risk it. Our bill puts the cost of a failed suit where it belongs: on the person who filed it.

2026.10.12 15:30

Survivors should never have to choose between their voice and their bank account. Today, we introduced the Speak Your Truth Act to make abusers PAY for suing survivors into silence. Under the bill, a survivor who prevails in a defamation or libel case brought against them in federal court would be entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, paid by the plaintiff. Defending a defamation suit can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Many survivors stay silent rather than risk it. Our bill puts the cost of a failed suit where it belongs: on the person who filed it.