[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 190 (Wednesday, November 15, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H5882-H5883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                PROTECTING THE RIGHT TO ANONYMOUS SPEECH

  (Mr. GROTHMAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, in the last few days, a new threat to 
American freedom has arisen.
  We all know today that most people, or many people, get out their 
views on social media. There are positives and negatives to that, but 
there is no question it is true.
  Particularly with today's intolerance, in which people can be fired 
for their views, I think it is very important that people be able to 
voice their views anonymously.
  Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, it has become apparent that some people 
want to bar you from expressing your views anonymously, which I think 
in many jobs and many occupations today could mean you are going to get 
fired. There is no other way to express your views other than 
anonymously.
  As I understand it, our forefathers sometimes had to put out their 
words or their ideas of a future government anonymously to escape 
detection from the British. Voicing things anonymously is a long-held 
American tradition.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope the American people are aware that, like so many 
other of our liberties, it is an attack by some politicians who want to 
make sure that your employers and your college professors have the 
ability to

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know the way you think so they can take revenge on you.
  The American people must keep the right to post their views 
anonymously.

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