Free speech and protest
What speech and protest government may restrict or punish, including how protests are policed, when protesters may be arrested or boycotts penalized, and how far campuses, online platforms and tax rules limit what people and groups can say.
What they call for
DemocratsRepublicans25 new members addressed this issue. Many call for more than one thing.
Protect freedom of speech19Protect the right to protest and assemble peacefully7Stop the government from targeting people for their speech7Protect freedom of the press3Protect academic freedom and free speech on campuses3Protect speech and protest critical of Israel's government3Protect the right to boycott2Oppose book bans in schools and libraries2Shield tax-exempt groups' political speech from IRS limits2
Protect freedom of speech
19 members“To me, freedom is being able to control your own destiny. That means the right of free speech for all regardless of your views or political beliefs, the right to protect your property from being taken by the government for corporate profit, the right to grow through education, the right to make your own health care decisions, the right to safe and healthy communities free from crime and pollution, and the right to participate in a fair and open economy in which hardworking people share in the wealth they help to create and get a fair shot to get ahead.”View on their website ↗
“Protect academic freedom, including free speech”View on their website ↗
“Democrats took away our 2nd Amendment rights in New York and perpetually attack our First Amendment rights nationally. I will fight to protect and restore both.”View on their website ↗
“Preserve and protect our constitutional rights to free speech, freedom of worship, and the right to bear arms.”View on their website ↗
“I believe in the freedom of speech, the freedom of assembly, the freedom of and from religion, and the freedom of self-expression.”View on their website ↗
“I understand that civil rights are just as important when they protect our rights to do things that others might disagree with. That’s why I believe that the right to speak against your government’s actions and to peacefully protest them are sacrosanct.”View on their website ↗
“Peggy believes in the right to free speech and the freedom of assembly and will fight to uphold every American’s constitutional right to self-expression.”View on their website ↗
“Protect our right to free speech, our right to assemble, and the right to a free press to ensure no matter what you believe, you are free and safe to say it.”View on their website ↗
“Defended free speech, election integrity, and the Constitution before the U.S. Supreme Court and courts nationwide.”View on their website ↗
“Proteger la libertad académica y la financiación de investigación
Los ataques de Trump a nuestras universidades e infraestructura de investigación nos han atrasado como país. Lucharé por restaurar y aumentar la financiación y lucharé contra la prohibición de libros y la censura.”View on their website ↗“Defender la libertad de expresión, la prensa libre y el derecho a protestar
Me opondré a ataques políticamente motivados contra periodistas, demandas frívolas diseñadas para silenciar medios de comunicación, prohibiciones de libros en nuestras escuelas y bibliotecas, y leyes que criminalicen la protesta pacífica. También apoyo el derecho al boicot. Estos derechos deben ser protegidos, sin importar qué partido político esté en el poder.”View on their website ↗“Protect Freedom of Speech”View on their website ↗
Show the other 9 members
“Massachusetts needs leaders committed to making our communities more affordable, upholding the right to free speech and organizing, and ensuring the opportunity for our children and neighbors to build better lives.”View on their website ↗
“He refused to enforce mandates he believed violated constitutional rights and has remained a steadfast defender of free speech, religious liberty, the Second Amendment, and personal freedom.”View on their website ↗
“Protect First Amendment rights by changing federal agent guidelines on the use of force guidelines to narrowly define what counts as impending or obstructing federal agents to”View on their website ↗
“Protect Freedom of Speech”View on their website ↗
“He will fiercely defend the First Amendment and protect the freedom of speech so citizens can think, worship, and speak freely without fear of government persecution.”View on their website ↗
“From protecting free speech and religious freedom to preserving the right to keep and bear arms, Jim will never back down from defending the God-given liberties that make our nation the freest in the world.”View on their website ↗
“In Washington, Jim will work to secure the border and stop illegal immigration, stand firmly with law enforcement and first responders, and defend free speech from the growing threat of censorship by Big Tech.”View on their website ↗
“He’ll fight back against outside political interest groups that threaten our environment, suppress free speech, and drive up healthcare costs.”View on their website ↗
“Protect freedom of speech, religious liberty, due process, and the right to keep and bear arms.”View on their website ↗
“Oppose censorship and protect the freedom of speech: Oppose book banning and cancel culture, pass the No Political Enemies Act to protect individuals and organizations from being targeted by the government for exercising their freedom of speech, and defend the freedom of the press.”View on their website ↗
“Protect the freedom of speech and protest.”View on their website ↗
Protect the right to protest and assemble peacefully
7 members“I believe in the freedom of speech, the freedom of assembly, the freedom of and from religion, and the freedom of self-expression.”View on their website ↗
“I understand that civil rights are just as important when they protect our rights to do things that others might disagree with. That’s why I believe that the right to speak against your government’s actions and to peacefully protest them are sacrosanct.”View on their website ↗
“And I stand against the weaponization of the state to stamp out or intimidate peaceful protest, including the freedom to boycott.”View on their website ↗
“Peggy believes in the right to free speech and the freedom of assembly and will fight to uphold every American’s constitutional right to self-expression.”View on their website ↗
“Protect our right to free speech, our right to assemble, and the right to a free press to ensure no matter what you believe, you are free and safe to say it.”View on their website ↗
“Introduced House Resolution (HR 0610, 97th GA) urging support for the peaceful exercise of First Amendment rights by Occupy protesters – resolution lost on a House vote”View on their website ↗
“Defender la libertad de expresión, la prensa libre y el derecho a protestar
Me opondré a ataques políticamente motivados contra periodistas, demandas frívolas diseñadas para silenciar medios de comunicación, prohibiciones de libros en nuestras escuelas y bibliotecas, y leyes que criminalicen la protesta pacífica. También apoyo el derecho al boicot. Estos derechos deben ser protegidos, sin importar qué partido político esté en el poder.”View on their website ↗“I’m fighting for a future where Americans are still free. Free to pursue the American dream; free to peacefully protest, free to control their bodies, and free from reckless, incompetent, and cruel federal policies.”View on their website ↗
“Protect the freedom of speech and protest.”View on their website ↗
Stop the government from targeting people for their speech
7 members“Combating Trump’s Attacks on Academic Freedom: The Trump administration is abusing the federal government to punish universities, including Northwestern, for teaching or allowing ideas Donald Trump doesn’t like. This is downright un-American. In Congress, I’ll stand up for academic freedom and work to shut down trumped up investigations and fight to release all funds that are being withheld for ideological reasons. I’m also disgusted by the Trump administration’s moves to deny visas or deport students — including students who are in the country legally — for ideological reasons. Congress must fight back against these abuses.”View on their website ↗
“No American should face investigation, prosecution, or government enforcement action simply because of who they voted for, what they said, or who they associate with. That principle should hold true no matter which party controls the White House.”View on their website ↗
“I will work to ensure passage of the No Political Enemies Act (H.R. 7060), which prohibits the president, vice-president, federal agencies, and independent executive agencies from opening or directing an investigation, prosecution, regulatory action, or other enforcement action against a person or organization when that action is substantially motivated by their constitutionally protected speech, dissent, expression, or association.”View on their website ↗
“And I stand against the weaponization of the state to stamp out or intimidate peaceful protest, including the freedom to boycott.”View on their website ↗
“Won a landmark federal case that struck down the unconstitutional IRS regulation used by Lois Lerner to silence conservative groups—proving Chris knows how to dismantle the Deep State’s intimidation tactics and protect Americans’ First Amendment rights.”View on their website ↗
“Defend voting rights and election integrity, and oppose efforts to weaponize federal law enforcement against journalists, protesters, or elected officials for political speech.”View on their website ↗
“He will fiercely defend the First Amendment and protect the freedom of speech so citizens can think, worship, and speak freely without fear of government persecution.”View on their website ↗
“Oppose censorship and protect the freedom of speech: Oppose book banning and cancel culture, pass the No Political Enemies Act to protect individuals and organizations from being targeted by the government for exercising their freedom of speech, and defend the freedom of the press.”View on their website ↗
Protect freedom of the press
3 members“Protect our right to free speech, our right to assemble, and the right to a free press to ensure no matter what you believe, you are free and safe to say it.”View on their website ↗
“Defender la libertad de expresión, la prensa libre y el derecho a protestar
Me opondré a ataques políticamente motivados contra periodistas, demandas frívolas diseñadas para silenciar medios de comunicación, prohibiciones de libros en nuestras escuelas y bibliotecas, y leyes que criminalicen la protesta pacífica. También apoyo el derecho al boicot. Estos derechos deben ser protegidos, sin importar qué partido político esté en el poder.”View on their website ↗“Oppose censorship and protect the freedom of speech: Oppose book banning and cancel culture, pass the No Political Enemies Act to protect individuals and organizations from being targeted by the government for exercising their freedom of speech, and defend the freedom of the press.”View on their website ↗
Protect academic freedom and free speech on campuses
3 members“Combating Trump’s Attacks on Academic Freedom: The Trump administration is abusing the federal government to punish universities, including Northwestern, for teaching or allowing ideas Donald Trump doesn’t like. This is downright un-American. In Congress, I’ll stand up for academic freedom and work to shut down trumped up investigations and fight to release all funds that are being withheld for ideological reasons. I’m also disgusted by the Trump administration’s moves to deny visas or deport students — including students who are in the country legally — for ideological reasons. Congress must fight back against these abuses.”View on their website ↗
“Protect academic freedom, including free speech”View on their website ↗
“Proteger la libertad académica y la financiación de investigación
Los ataques de Trump a nuestras universidades e infraestructura de investigación nos han atrasado como país. Lucharé por restaurar y aumentar la financiación y lucharé contra la prohibición de libros y la censura.”View on their website ↗“Gran parte de nuestro momento actual de peligro para la Primera Enmienda, particularmente en los campus universitarios, tiene sus orígenes en la supresión de las protestas estudiantiles contra el genocidio en Gaza. Debemos, en particular, proteger los derechos de los estudiantes a expresarse en sus propios campus, incluso contra gobiernos extranjeros.”View on their website ↗Protect speech and protest critical of Israel's government
3 members“Implement the Biden administration’s U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism: I support the Biden Administration’s U.S. National Strategy to counter Antisemitism, which includes increasing awareness of antisemitism and providing security for Jewish communities – but does not infringe on freedom of speech, including criticism of the Israeli government.”View on their website ↗
“Gran parte de nuestro momento actual de peligro para la Primera Enmienda, particularmente en los campus universitarios, tiene sus orígenes en la supresión de las protestas estudiantiles contra el genocidio en Gaza. Debemos, en particular, proteger los derechos de los estudiantes a expresarse en sus propios campus, incluso contra gobiernos extranjeros.”View on their website ↗“While working as an attorney at a top firm in New York City, Melat witnessed the bravery of the student protesting for Palestine despite risk of punishment and losing their job offers. She decided to write an article defending the students and their critique of Israel. After being asked to take down the article or resign, Melat refused, and she was fired.”View on their website ↗
Protect the right to boycott
2 members“And I stand against the weaponization of the state to stamp out or intimidate peaceful protest, including the freedom to boycott.”View on their website ↗
“Defender la libertad de expresión, la prensa libre y el derecho a protestar
Me opondré a ataques políticamente motivados contra periodistas, demandas frívolas diseñadas para silenciar medios de comunicación, prohibiciones de libros en nuestras escuelas y bibliotecas, y leyes que criminalicen la protesta pacífica. También apoyo el derecho al boicot. Estos derechos deben ser protegidos, sin importar qué partido político esté en el poder.”View on their website ↗Oppose book bans in schools and libraries
2 members“Proteger la libertad académica y la financiación de investigación
Los ataques de Trump a nuestras universidades e infraestructura de investigación nos han atrasado como país. Lucharé por restaurar y aumentar la financiación y lucharé contra la prohibición de libros y la censura.”View on their website ↗“Defender la libertad de expresión, la prensa libre y el derecho a protestar
Me opondré a ataques políticamente motivados contra periodistas, demandas frívolas diseñadas para silenciar medios de comunicación, prohibiciones de libros en nuestras escuelas y bibliotecas, y leyes que criminalicen la protesta pacífica. También apoyo el derecho al boicot. Estos derechos deben ser protegidos, sin importar qué partido político esté en el poder.”View on their website ↗“Oppose censorship and protect the freedom of speech: Oppose book banning and cancel culture, pass the No Political Enemies Act to protect individuals and organizations from being targeted by the government for exercising their freedom of speech, and defend the freedom of the press.”View on their website ↗
Shield tax-exempt groups' political speech from IRS limits
2 members“Won a landmark federal case that struck down the unconstitutional IRS regulation used by Lois Lerner to silence conservative groups—proving Chris knows how to dismantle the Deep State’s intimidation tactics and protect Americans’ First Amendment rights.”View on their website ↗
“In addition, I cosponsored the Free Speech Fairness Act (H.R.949) to provide protections for tax-exempt organizations exercising free speech in the electoral process.”View on their website ↗
Raised the issue without a specific call
1 member“Freedom of speech is a pillar of our country and the foundation of our electoral process.”View on their website ↗
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