Condemning Attacks Upon Press in America

Floor Speech

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Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of the free press in America.

I can't believe that I have to say this, but our free press is under attack--physical attack. As Americans have taken to the streets to demand change in the wake of George Floyd's murder, we have seen our First Amendment trampled as hundreds of journalists have been arrested and assaulted by law enforcement officers.

In the past few weeks, members of the press have been detained, gassed, shot at. One reporter lost an eye when she was targeted with rubber bullets, and the most infamous example was the attack upon peaceful protestors and journalists gathered outside the White House.

Mr. Speaker, a free press is one of the most fundamental and cherished values in our country, predating our Constitution. It stems from 1735 when John Peter Zenger was arrested and charged with sedition for criticizing a corrupt British governor of New York.

A free press is one of the most basic ways we hold our government accountable.

On the eve of our Nation's birthday, I invite my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in sponsoring H. Res. 999, which condemns attacks upon the press and the detention of journalists and reaffirms the value of a free press to our democracy.

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