Two decades later, in 1873, Congress passed the Comstock Act, a law that mandated up to 5 years in prison for any person who sold or distributed a book that was, quote, 'obscene, lewd, or lascivious.'

But for 30 years, Congress has failed to pass immigration reform, and as a consequence, many of the things that are happening on the border and across our Nation are the result.

I think that is a positive step forward.

I announce that the Senator from Illinois (Ms. Duckworth), the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Ossoff), and the Senator from California (Mr. Padilla) are necessarily absent.

today we take a moment to remember the anniversary of September 11, 2001. Many people recall vividly that day where they were. I was in this building outside that door and a few steps down the hallway. I can recall seeing, on a small…

We need to work together as a country to try to create clear standards for access to books.

I do mind doing nothing about it.

I could not be more proud of this legislation, and I implore everyone in this room to please, please be on the right side of history and push back against these book bans in every and any way possible.

In the 1850s, 'Uncle Tom's Cabin,' the classic antislavery novel, was banned throughout the Southern United States.

Something's better than nothing. America is under siege, and we need to fix this problem.

In 1928, the City of Chicago banned a book, known as 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,' from all of its public libraries.

This issue should have nothing to do with political party. This isn't a Republican or Democrat issue.

This meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee will come to order.

We want our schools and libraries to be open and welcoming settings for education, not cultural battlefields.

We need to take any hint of censorship seriously, because free speech is not only crucial to democracy but imperative for the survival of our civilization.

Unfortunately, there is a long history in our country of banning books we now consider classic works of literature.

my timing couldn't have been better than to have arrived on the floor of the Senate after the Republican leader, Senator McConnell, had given a speech on the cost of drugs in America. I have the rest of the story, the other side of the…

I announce that the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Booker) and the Senator from Maryland (Mr. Cardin) are necessarily absent.