SCHAKOWSKY VOWS TO DEFEND FIRST AMENDMENT AGAINST OVERREACHING LEGISLATION IN CONGRESS

JANUARY 26, 2005

SCHAKOWSKY VOWS TO DEFEND FIRST AMENDMENT AGAINST OVERREACHING LEGISLATION IN CONGRESS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following the reintroduction of legislation that would limit individuals' right to free speech, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), the ranking Democrat on the Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee, vowed to defend against Congressional efforts to weaken the First Amendment.

Schakowsky, who was the only Commerce Committee member to vote against similar legislation last Congress, said, "We, as a country, run a great risk when legislation threatens to undermine both our Constitution and our creativity. The stakes are high and the threat to free speech is all too real."

The legislation, H.R. 310, would increase fines on broadcast licensees, networks and individuals found to have violated indecency regulations by the Federal Communications Commission. However, the bill fails to address the major concern of citizens across the country who believe that there is a direct correlation between media consolidation and the increasing number of objectionable materials on the air.