[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 25, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     DEFENDING CONSERVATIVE SPEECH

  (Ms. De La CRUZ asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. De La CRUZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to let the American people 
know their access to conservative programming on one of our Nation's 
largest satellite TV providers is at risk.
  DIRECTV, one of my district's largest satellite providers, has 
threatened to remove Newsmax from its lineup. Why, may I ask? Newsmax 
has simply asked to receive equal compensation for DIRECTV carrying its 
channel through carriage fees. Though Newsmax has higher ratings than 
many other more liberal stations offered on DIRECTV, the satellite 
provider owned by AT&T will not negotiate in good faith with Newsmax. 
Again, I said AT&T.
  The threat of conservatives losing an independent media outlet is 
real should DIRECTV not agree to a new carriage agreement with Newsmax. 
This appears to be another victory in the woke left's efforts to cancel 
conservatives and limit free speech.
  Mr. Speaker, I raise these concerns as a defender of the First 
Amendment with the hope that DIRECTV will do the right thing and keep 
Newsmax on its air.

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