August 21, 2024
Several weeks ago, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul took to the floor of the Senate to weigh in on S.1409 – Kids Online Safety Act, which, if signed into law, could empower the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to execute viewpoint discrimination, violate First Amendment rights, and create unnecessary lawsuits against pro-life organizations.
Students for Life Action (SFLAction) has spoken out repeatedly against the government weaponization of laws and regulations, like the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act that targets pro-life groups and Catholics organizations, which is why we reached out to numerous senators to share our concerns about what this new law could do.
READ: Combating Weaponized Free Speech Laws: The FACE Act
In his floor remarks, Sen. Rand Paul used our language to address the issue: “Pro-life organization Students for Life Action commented on this bill stating, ‘Once again, a piece of federal legislation with broad powers and vague definitions threatens Pro-Life free speech. Those targeted by a weaponized government will always include pro-life Americans defending mothers and their children, born and unborn.’ Students for Life Action concludes their statement by saying “already the Pro-Life Generation faces discrimination, de-platforming, and short-and-long term bans from social media based on the whims of others. Students for Life Action calls for a NO vote on KOSA to prevent viewpoint discrimination from becoming federal policy at the FTC.’”
On Reason.com, Sen. Rand Paul used that exact same citation in his op-ed, stating that “KOSA is a Trojan horse. It purports to protect our children by claiming limitless ability to regulate speech and depriving them of the benefits of the internet, which include engaging with like-minded individuals, expressing themselves freely, as well as participating in debates among others with different opinions.”
This is the second op-ed that the Kentucky senator has written referencing SFLAction’s viewpoint on the dangers of the law. The first placement was in the Courier-Journal where he said, “this bill does not merely regulate the internet; it threatens to suppress important and diverse discussions that are essential to a free and healthy society. That is why a legion of advocacy groups on the left and the right, such as Students for Life and the American Civil Liberties Union, oppose KOSA.”