Alexandria, VA – Institute for Free Speech Chairman Bradley A. Smith will testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform at a 10:00 AM hearing on H.R. 1, also known as the “For the People Act of 2019.” Smith’s testimony explains that the bill would restrict First Amendment rights to speak and associate with others, benefiting politicians at the expense of the public.
“Despite proponents’ insistence that H.R. 1 is ‘For the People,’ the bill is anything but,” states Smith’s testimony. “More appropriately labeled the ‘For the Politicians Act,’ H.R. 1 would make seismic changes to the long-held ability of Americans to speak and associate with other Americans on the issues about which they are passionate. The bill would radically transform oversight over the labyrinth of laws that regulate political speech, from its historic bipartisan structure to partisan control. It would impose onerous and unworkable standards on the ability of Americans and groups of Americans to discuss the policy issues of the day with elected officials and the public. Other sections of the bill would violate the privacy of advocacy groups and their supporters, stringently regulate political speech on the Internet, and compel speakers to include lengthy government-mandated messages in their communications. The proposal would also coerce Americans into funding the campaigns of candidates with which they may disagree in a system that research has proven hasn’t worked elsewhere. These issues represent only the tip of the iceberg of what’s included in H.R. 1.”
To read the full written testimony, click here, or go to: https://www.ifs.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2019-02-06_Smith-Written-Testimony_US_HR-1_House-Oversight-Committee.pdf.
About the Institute for Free Speech
The Institute for Free Speech is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that promotes and defends the First Amendment rights to freely speak, assemble, publish, and petition the government. Originally known as the Center for Competitive Politics, it was founded in 2005 by Bradley A. Smith, a former Chairman of the Federal Election Commission. The Institute is the nation’s largest organization dedicated solely to protecting First Amendment political rights.
