James Comer: “The problem I face is that the Federal employees see it as part of their job to censor Americans' First Amendment…”

“The problem I face is that the Federal employees see it as part of their job to censor Americans' First Amendment protected speech on social media and internet platforms, especially if the speech is misaligned or inconvenient for the administration's political priorities. This legislation fixes and addresses this problem head-on with a narrow prohibition on the activities of civil servants. This bill expands the Hatch Act to prohibit Federal employees from using their official authority to censor lawful speech on third-party online platforms. This is the first step toward important work that should be done in this space of addressing the challenges of preserving free speech on the internet for all Americans. I thank Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan and Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers for their early support in crafting this very important legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this necessary bill. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. All time for general debate has expired. Pursuant to the rule, the bill shall be considered for amendment under the 5-minute rule.…”