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First Amendment is Keystone of Our Liberties

Floor Speech

Date: Sept. 17, 2025
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, a few minutes ago, four Republicans saved this House from disgrace. We almost passed a resolution to remove a Member from committees for the sin of exercising free speech.

Charlie Kirk was a prominent figure, beloved by many, disliked heartily by others.

If the First Amendment means anything, it means the ability to say anything we want, short of actionable libel, with respect to any subject. It even means, according to the Supreme Court in the Brandenburg decision in 1969, the ability to advocate violence except in a manner calculated to induce immediate violence.

We forget the First Amendment at our peril. It is the keystone of our liberties, and we almost disgraced ourselves by traducing it a few minutes ago. I am glad we did not.

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