Torres Introduces Legislation to Defund Trump’s Social Media E.O.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) introduced the Defund Executive Orders that Suppress Free Speech Act this week – legislation to halt the implementation of Executive Order 13925.
The order, signed by President Trump on May 29, 2020, would direct various federal agencies to reinterpret a key federal statute that fosters free speech on the Internet. Under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, online platforms are shielded from lawsuits for the content users post on their sites. President Trump announced the Executive Order just days after Twitter labeled two of President Trump's tweets as "potentially misleading."
Rep. Torres, who sits on the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Subcommittee with jurisdiction over both the FCC and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), released the following statement:
"President Trump has no business directing independent agencies to carry out his personal vendettas – he runs our government, not a mob operation," Rep. Torres said. "Only Congress can adjust immunity for user-generated content, but the fact that President Trump is trying to do so will have a chilling effect on any company trying to stop the spread of misinformation.
"Executive Order 13925 is just one more example of this President abusing the power of his office for personal gain," Torres continued. "The only appropriate action that respects our separation of powers, shields our online platforms from undue influence, and protects the American people from misinformation is to defund it."
If implemented, Executive Order 13925 would hamper federal agencies' ability to share information with the public. At a time when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is providing critical information about COVID-19 and the Census Bureau is urging the public to be counted in the 2020 Census, President Trump's order could place restrictions on whether agencies can use the very online platforms they rely on to reach the American people.
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