Cohen Calls Crush Videos Disturbing at House Judiciary Hearing, Urges Ban

Press Release

Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN-9) today called crush videos disturbing and urged that they be banned. Crush videos are a broad term for videos, photographs, and other visual depictions of small animals slowly being crushed to death.

"Crush videos are disturbing and have no place in society," said Congressman Cohen. "This bill would help put an end to crush videos and animal cruelty. I am passionately opposed to the cruel treatment of animals and I believe that those of us lucky enough to have pets are greatly blessed with their companionship."

The U.S. Supreme Court recently handed down a decision -- United States v. Stevens -- overturning the existing law banning crush videos. The Court ruled that the law was "too broad" and was therefore invalid under the First Amendment.

In response to the court decision, Congressman Elton Gallegly (R-CA-24) introduced H.R. 5092, a more narrow measure to ban crush videos in a way that attempts to satisfy the Court's concerns. Congressman Cohen is an original co-sponsor of the bill, which eliminates the sale, production, and dissemination of crush videos in the United States and imposes a fine and prison term of five years for anyone who knowingly sells or offers to sell a crush video.

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