Alexandria, VA – Institute for Free Speech President David Keating will testify before the Committee on House Administration at a hearing today on H.R. 1, also known as the “For the People Act of 2019.” Keating’s testimony highlights how the bill’s complex and expansive restrictions would harm groups that speak about policy issues.

“Free speech enabled the civil rights movement, LGBTQ rights, tax reform, economic growth, and much more. But before a nonprofit group speaks out, should we make them spend thousands of dollars to hire a lawyer to find out if it’s ok to speak? Should we make them fill out reams of paperwork for the Federal Election Commission? Should we make them declare what candidate they back, even if they don’t back anyone? I say no. That’s not how we do things in America. That’s not ‘For the People.’ Yet all that and more would be required if H.R. 1 became law,” Keating said.

The hearing is scheduled to begin at 8:30 AM, and Keating is scheduled to speak on the second panel around 1:00 PM. To read his full written testimony, click here, or go to: https://www.ifs.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2019-02-14_Keating-Written-Testimony_US_HR-1_House-Administration-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.