Goodlatte Statement at Subcommittee Hearing on H.R. 2304, the "Speak FREE Act"

Chairman Goodlatte: It’s clear that our founders believed that the free expression of ideas was integral to the wellbeing of our nation. John Adams, in his writing on the importance of the press for example, states:

"Care has been taken that the art of printing should be encouraged, and that it should be easy and cheap and safe for any person to communicate his thoughts to the public. And you, Messieurs [Mr.] printers, whatever the tyrants of the earth may say of your paper, have done important service to your country by your readiness and freedom in publishing the speculations of the curious. The stale, impudent insinuations of slander and sedition … are so much the more to your honor; for the jaws of power are always opened to devour, and her arm is always stretched out, if possible, to destroy the freedom of thinking, speaking, and writing."

In the digital age, we continue to witness our world impacted by what one federal district court judge has called “the most participatory marketplace of mass speech” ever seen.  Indeed, the Internet provides a nearly unlimited, low-cost forum for all kinds of constitutionally-protected communication.  But within the context of lawsuits referred to as Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation or SLAPPs, the cost of Internet expression protected by the First Amendment is on the rise. Today’s hearing, I hope, will examine the most common kinds of SLAPPs heard in federal court as well as their impact on the right to free expression and the right to petition the government. I look forward to today’s discussion of the SPEAK FREE Act, and I would like to thank all of the witnesses for their testimony. Click here to learn more about today’s hearing. ###