[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 607 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 607

  Reaffirming the vital and indispensable role the free press serves.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            August 16, 2018

Mr. Schatz (for himself, Mr. Schumer, and Mr. Blumenthal) submitted the 
        following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Reaffirming the vital and indispensable role the free press serves.

Whereas the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States protects 
        the press from government control and suppression;
Whereas the freedom of the press--

    (1) has been recognized as integral to the democratic foundations of 
the United States since the beginning of the United States; and

    (2) has endured and been reaffirmed repeatedly throughout the history 
of the United States;

Whereas Benjamin Franklin in 1722 wrote, ``Whoever would overthrow the Liberty 
        of a Nation, must begin by subduing the Freeness of Speech.'';
Whereas Thomas Jefferson in 1786 wrote, ``Our liberty depends on the freedom of 
        the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.'';
Whereas James Madison in 1789 introduced the freedom of the press in the Bill of 
        Rights to the Constitution of the United States;
Whereas James Madison based the freedom of the press on the Declaration of 
        Rights of the Commonwealth of Virginia, which in 1776 declared, ``The 
        freedom of the Press is one of the greatest bulwarks of liberty, and can 
        never be restrained but by despotic Governments.'';
Whereas President Ronald Reagan proclaimed August 4, 1985, as Freedom of the 
        Press Day, stating that ``Freedom of the press is one of our most 
        important freedoms and also one of our oldest.'';
Whereas President Reagan also said, ``Today, our tradition of a free press as a 
        vital part of our democracy is as important as ever. The news media are 
        now using modern techniques to bring our citizens information not only 
        on a daily basis but instantaneously as important events occur. This 
        flow of information helps make possible an informed electorate and so 
        contributes to our national system of self-government.'';
Whereas Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in International Soc. for Krishna 
        Consciousness, Inc. v. Lee, 505 U.S. 672 (1992), ``The First Amendment 
        is often inconvenient. But that is beside the point. Inconvenience does 
        not absolve the government of its obligation to tolerate speech.'';
Whereas the United States Supreme Court also affirmed the history and intent of 
        the freedom of the press in New York Times Co. v. United States, 403 
        U.S. 713 (1971), stating, ``In the First Amendment, the Founding Fathers 
        gave the free press the protection it must have to fulfill its essential 
        role in our democracy. The press was to serve the governed, not the 
        governors. The Government's power to censor the press was abolished so 
        that the press would remain forever free to censure the Government. The 
        press was protected so that it could bare the secrets of government and 
        inform the people. Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively 
        expose deception in government.'';
Whereas tyrannical and authoritarian governments and leaders throughout history 
        have sought to undermine, censor, suppress, and control the press to 
        advance their undemocratic goals and actions; and
Whereas the United States, including the long-held commitment to and 
        constitutional protection of the free press in the United States, has 
        stood as a shining example of democracy, self-government, and freedom 
        for the world to emulate: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That--
            (1) the Senate--
                    (A) affirms that the press is not the enemy of the 
                people;
                    (B) reaffirms the vital and indispensable role that 
                the free press serves to inform the electorate, uncover 
                the truth, act as a check on the inherent power of the 
                government, further national discourse and debate, and 
                otherwise advance the most basic and cherished 
                democratic norms and freedoms of the United States; and
                    (C) condemns the attacks on the institution of the 
                free press and views efforts to systematically 
                undermine the credibility of the press as an attack on 
                the democratic institutions of the United States; and
            (2) it is the sense of the Senate that it is the sworn 
        responsibility of all who serve the United States by taking the 
        oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United 
        States to uphold, cherish, and protect the entire Constitution, 
        including the freedom of the press.
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