FreedomWorks Salutes Representatives Stand For Free Political Speech

Although under pressure from party leadership and the White House, eighteen Members of Congress today voted with their conscience to protect free speech and against the Shays-Meehan bill. The bill passed the House 218-209. Republican Representatives Bartlett, Chocola, Flake, Fossella, Franks, Garrett, Gohmert, Hensarling, Istook, W. Jones, S. King, Mack, McMorris, Neugebauer, Paul, Pence, Shadegg, and Westmoreland all deserve credit for their principled stand for the First Amendment.

Shays-Meehan will outlaw any communication over $1,000 by any 527 group unless it becomes a PAC. This legislation is an example of government expansion into the rights of citizens to join together to petition the government and will have a detrimental effect on free speech. Millions of Americans belong to groups or organizations that will find themselves limited in upcoming elections.

FreedomWorks President Matt Kibbe commented, “Our primary goal at FreedomWorks is to get more citizens directly involved in the public policy debate. Shays-Meehan is an unfortunate step in the wrong direction, and where will it end? Unfortunately this could be the camel’s nose under the tent and sets a dangerous precedent for further government intrusion and regulation of the First Amendment. FreedomWorks believes that open debate and broad participation lead to the best policy outcomes, and our concern is that Shays-Meehan is a step towards less grassroots engagement in the political process.”

FreedomWorks is a grassroots organization with over 800,000 members nationwide dedicated to lower taxes, less government, and more freedom.