Constitution and Civil Justice Subcommittee to Examine Legislation to Curb SLAPP Lawsuits

June 16, 2016

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, June 22, 2016, at 1:00 p.m., the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice will hold a legislative hearing on H.R. 2304, the “Speak Free Act.” This bill provides a special motion to dismiss early in litigation as well as a stay on discovery in federal court in order to combat SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation), which are lawsuits filed to intimidate Americans from exercising their First Amendment rights. Witnesses for the hearing are:

Aaron Schur, Senior Director of Litigation, Yelp Inc.
Bruce D. Brown, Executive Director, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Alexander Reinert, Professor of Law, Cardozo School of Law
Laura Prather, Partner, Haynes and Boone, LLP

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Constitution and Civil Justice Subcommittee Chairman Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), and the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas), released the following statement prior to the hearing:

“The use of social media and the internet have opened the door for Americans to express their beliefs and ideas to a wider audience. SLAPPs are designed to intimidate Americans from speaking about matters of public concern, potentially violating constitutional protections such as the right to free speech and the right to petition one’s government. The House Judiciary Committee has recognized the wasteful and intimidating nature of these suits, and will explore how the Speak Free Act could put an end to the practice of SLAPPs.”

The hearing will take place in 2226 Rayburn House Office Building and will be webcast live at /. Camera crews wishing to cover must be congressionally-credentialed and RSVP with the House Radio-TV Gallery at (202) 225-5214.