[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 14, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H2035]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1800
                     ATTACKS ON LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

  (Mr. LATIMER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, President Trump fired the Librarian of 
Congress just 1 year shy of completing her 10-year term. He also fired 
the head of the U.S. Copyright Office, replacing them with his former 
lawyers and current DOJ appointees. While the President may get to 
appoint the Librarian, these offices are under the jurisdiction of 
Congress, and we should be consulted.
  I have raised concerns about troubling patterns that we have seen 
emerging in our country, patterns that echo tactics of regimes in 
Hungary, North Korea, and Venezuela. These are not governments we 
admire. Yet, this latest move fits that mold.
  The Library of Congress is the world's largest library and a symbol 
of our commitment to free thought. We have seen growing attacks on 
libraries and books nationwide. Now it seems even the Library of 
Congress is not off limits.
  While personnel were fired, this is about power, who controls what 
Americans read, learn, and dream. When you limit access to knowledge, 
you limit freedom. You send a clear message that questioning authority 
is no longer welcome.
  The slide away from democracy continues.

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