On the recordSeptember 27, 2023
I understand and join in the outrage shared by my colleagues over the CISA mis-, dis-, and malinformation scandal. No administration and no government should ever be in the business of labeling or attempting to convince social media companies that First Amendment-protected speech is or is not disinformation. The government is not the arbiter of the truth, a position that even the ACLU agrees with. That is why we worked diligently to address government censorship concerns in this bill, and I stand by our language. However, this amendment is not targeted at the policies of the Biden administration that we disagree with. It is targeted at a person who wasn't in office when CISA engaged in mis-, dis-, and malinformation activities. While we might not agree with her policies, the CISA Director has a history of dutiful service to this country, including a long career in the military. Director Easterly is a West Point graduate, two-time recipient of the Bronze Star, retiring from the Army after more than 20 years in intelligence and cyber operations. While I empathize with the sponsor on the sentiment behind this amendment, I cannot support it, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.'' Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.





