[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 7215]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      THE TRUTH WILL GET YOU SUED

  (Mr. POE of Texas asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, they say the truth will set you free. 
Well, maybe not. Now the truth may get you sued. Here is why.
  The Staples Company fired an employee for lying on his expense 
account, and then sent a warning e-mail to all other employees on this 
action. The former employee sued, saying the company's actions were 
``malicious and harmful.'' A Federal court in Massachusetts ruled with 
the employee, even though the statements were true.
  Mr. Speaker, it has long been the law in this country that libel and 
slander only occur when the statement is false and malicious. But not 
anymore. So what is going to happen when the New York Times has a 
headline tomorrow morning saying ``Bernie Madoff, Worst Thief in 
American History, Goes to Jail?'' Even though that statement might be 
true, while old Bernie is in the big house, he may decide to sue, 
saying his reputation is ruined.
  Mr. Speaker, the Constitution protects free speech and a free press. 
The Federal courts in Massachusetts were wrong to say that truthful 
speech is unlawful if it offends somebody or hurts their little 
feelings.
  And that's just the way it is.

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