In February 2026, during Oversight Democrats’ bicameral shadow hearing on the use of violence by ICE, Rep. Pressley demanded Congress end qualified immunity to ensure federal law enforcement officers are held accountable for breaking the law and murdering civilians.
Abolish qualified immunity for federal law enforcement officers.
Occurrences
Following the ICE murder of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, Congresswoman Pressley and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) introduced the Qualified Immunity Abolition Act of 2026, which builds on the lawmakers' prior work by granting victims the right to sue federal law enforcement officers—not just state and local—for civil rights violations and abolishing the defense of qualified immunity in these suits.
This bill eliminates the defense of qualified immunity in civil actions for deprivation of rights.
Evidence
AP reported that Markey and Pressley introduced a bill after the Minneapolis ICE killing that would let people sue federal law enforcement officers for civil rights violations and remove qualified immunity protections; the story said the measure had little chance of passage.
Congress.gov shows H.R.1470 was introduced by Rep. Pressley on 2021-03-01, then referred to the House Judiciary subcommittee on 2021-04-28, with the bill still listed as Introduced.
Congress.gov shows the earlier Ending Qualified Immunity Act was introduced by Rep. Amash on 2020-06-04 and referred to the House Judiciary Committee the same day, with status remaining Introduced.
Assessments
Pressley materially pursued the promise by co-sponsoring the 2020 Ending Qualified Immunity Act, introducing H.R.1470 in 2021, and backing a 2026 bill focused on federal law enforcement officers. But none of the cited federal measures has been enacted, and qualified immunity for federal law enforcement officers has not been abolished. Because there was a serious legislative attempt without delivery, this is a failed promise with effort credit.
Pressley made a serious legislative effort by introducing the Ending Qualified Immunity Act in 2021, and later reporting indicates she continued pursuing the policy in 2026. But the cited bills did not advance beyond introduction/referral and there is no evidence the promised abolition of qualified immunity for federal law enforcement officers was enacted. Under the rubric, a substantial but unsuccessful effort counts as never with an effort badge.