[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 17, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H4397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              FIRST AMENDMENT IS KEYSTONE OF OUR LIBERTIES

  (Mr. NADLER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, a few minutes ago, four Republicans saved 
this House from disgrace. We almost passed a resolution to remove a 
Member from committees for the sin of exercising free speech.
  Charlie Kirk was a prominent figure, beloved by many, disliked 
heartily by others.
  If the First Amendment means anything, it means the ability to say 
anything we want, short of actionable libel, with respect to any 
subject. It even means, according to the Supreme Court in the 
Brandenburg decision in 1969, the ability to advocate violence except 
in a manner calculated to induce immediate violence.
  We forget the First Amendment at our peril. It is the keystone of our 
liberties, and we almost disgraced ourselves by traducing it a few 
minutes ago. I am glad we did not.

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