Senate rejects elections bill that flew in the face of First Amendment

The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Zack Pruitt regarding the failure of the “For the People Act” to pass the U.S. Senate Tuesday. The bill was designed to expand the definition of “political speech” and would have dramatically altered the First Amendment speech and association protections that American citizens have enjoyed since the founding of our country:

“Despite contending to be ‘for the people,’ this bill would have imposed unworkable and invasive regulations on the ability of Americans and groups of citizens to discuss vital policy issues with elected officials or the public. It would have intruded upon the private financial decisions made by everyday citizens, subjecting them to harassment and intimidation simply for giving to causes they care about. The U.S. Supreme Court has made clear that ‘the people lose when the government is the one deciding which ideas should prevail,’ so it is good that this legislation failed to pass the Senate. We commend the senators who took a stand for the First Amendment by rejecting this misleading and deeply flawed bill, and we hope the Senate will continue to reject any similar measures that trample on the free speech and free association rights of Americans.”

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.

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