CONGRESSMAN BURTON’S STATEMENT ON THE DEMOCRATS’ PROPOSED CENSORSHIP OF THE INTERNET

(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Dan Burton [R-IN-05] issued the following statement today opposing a new rule proposed by the Democratic leadership of the House Administration Committee that would require outside websites such as YouTube and other blogs to comply with House regulations before Members of Congress could post videos or statements on them.  Under the proposal, the House Administration Committee would develop a list of “approved” websites, and Members of Congress would be restricted to only publishing content using these sites. Burton said:

“This proposed rule change is ridiculous. The First Amendment is one of the cornerstones of our democracy and now the Democratic leadership on the House Administration Committee wants to censor how Members of Congress use the internet to express their opinions and interact with their constituents. That is borderline criminal. It seems that certain people in Washington only want to use the First Amendment when it benefits them or their political positions. I hope all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will stand up against this blatant disregard for not only transparency in government, but also for our freedom of speech.”

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