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Floor Speech

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Mr. PETERS. The freedom of speech, freedom of association, and freedom of the press are all very foundations of our Nation.

But I am also concerned about the power of large tech companies, which we must--must--hold accountable. The Homeland Security Committee, which I chair, has held a series of bipartisan oversight hearings on social media, including bringing in top executives to testify and to answer tough questions.

I am deeply concerned, however, that the legislation that we are discussing today could have serious unintended consequences, including undermining our national security. This bill could damage our national intelligence and law enforcement operations by requiring Agencies to disclose every interaction with a social media platform about the activity of a terrorist or a criminal on their platform. This can involve sensitive ongoing investigations and enforcement action, including the terrorist use of social media to recruit Americans to carry out attacks against our homeland.

The bill could also chill effects by executive and legislative branch employees who are working to address online threats and hate speech directed at Americans and communities all across our Nation. In addition to creating new redtape for staff trying to address these very difficult issues, it threatens them with a year in jail for not meeting paperwork deadlines.

Certainly, we must all protect our Nation's First Amendment and the right to speak freely. However, this bill will not accomplish that goal, while potentially undermining our national security.

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