Virginia Foxx: “I thank the gentleman from Utah for yielding to me today. Mr. Speaker, I was encouraged to see George Washington…”

“I thank the gentleman from Utah for yielding to me today. Mr. Speaker, I was encouraged to see George Washington University, GW, reverse its decision to censor posters highlighting the human rights abuses of the Chinese Communist Party, CCP. The Olympic-themed posters bring attention to the CCP for its oppression of Tibetans and Uyghurs. They also denounce China for undermining democracy in Hong Kong, implementing an authoritarian surveillance system over its own people, and for its dishonesty in the handling of COVID-19. Calling these posters racist is absurd and a dishonest attempt to pander to an authoritarian regime housing ethnic minorities in modern- day concentration camps. They aren't promoting racism but decrying it. Allowing students to stand up for human rights and democratic values on college campuses should not be a point of controversy. Condemning ethnic cleansing and genocide is not controversial. Condemning the erosion of privacy is not controversial. Condemning the destruction of democratic values is not controversial. In fact, condemning these crimes should be something that unites all Americans. The individuals who hung these posters are braver than many pundits and politicians who are turning a blind eye to the CCP's atrocities. We should celebrate their courage, not punish it. Too many universities tout free speech policies but punish those with different viewpoints for simply speaking their mind.…”