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Congressman Cohen Introduces the Free Speech Protection Act

Press Release

Date: Oct. 7, 2022
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Criminal Justice

Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, today introduced the Free Speech Protection Act with fourco-sponsors. The bill aims to deter so-called Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) that powerful interests deploy to stifle free speech through bad-faith defamation lawsuits.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"I first introduced a federal anti-SLAPP bill in 2009, but recent events have further demonstrated the need for these protections. Some powerful interests, including Russian oligarchs, have tried to use defamation suits to silence critics and satirists.

"The court system must not be a weapon wielded by the powerful against the free speech of activists, journalists and others. Freedom of Speech is a core principle of our democracy, and we must protect it."


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