reasonableness standard that requires that the right be clearly established at the time of the violation for the defendant to be liable. (9) The doctrine of qualified immunity has severely limited the ability of many plaintiffs to recover damages under section 1983 when their rights have been violated by State and local officials. (10) As a result, the intent of Congress in passing section 1983 has been frustrated, and the rights secured by the Constitution of the United States have not been appropriately protected. 3. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that Congress must correct the erroneous interpretation of section 1979 of the Revised Statutes that provides for qualified immunity and reiterate the standard found on the face of the statute, which does not limit liability on the basis of the good-faith belief of the defendant or on the basis that the right was not clearly established at the time of the violation. 4. Removal of qualified immunity Section 1979 of the Revised Statutes ( 42 U.S.C. 1983 ) is amended— (1) by inserting (a) before Every person