Press Releases

Education and Labor Committee Republican Leader Virginia Foxx (R-NC) spoke on the House floor this week and skewered censorship on college campuses and reaffirmed free speech rights.

Republican Leader Foxx’s Remarks:

“Freedom of speech and thought on college campuses is essential to one of the most important missions of the university: the search for truth. While censorship can come from the right or left, many colleges and universities are now zealously devoted to advancing left-wing ideas and are willing to disregard evidence and logic to do it. Universities should be a marketplace of ideas, not temples to a single political dogma.

“When students or faculty speak out against established norms, they are canceled, fired, or otherwise stigmatized by peers and university administrators. This is not what our founding fathers intended for our country or for our universities. Thomas Jefferson, who founded The University of Virginia, once wrote, ‘...I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.’ 

“Universities used to promote this sentiment, but things have changed and not for the better. Universities should be centers of education—not indoctrination. Yet university leaders either brazenly push their own agenda or walk on eggshells in fear of their own student body.

“Research and development suffer when debate and discussion are openly rejected on college campuses. Quashing intellectual curiosity hinders every field of study. 

“The freedom to speak and think freely comes from God. Students should not have to sign away their First Amendment rights after enrolling in college, especially if those institutions accept taxpayer funds. It is time for colleges and universities to be held accountable when they refuse to protect the free speech of students and faculty.

“Members of the Education and Labor Committee have submitted multiple bills to promote and protect the freedom of speech on college campuses. In the next Congress, we look forward to examining closely these bills and other ways to preserve the First Amendment on campuses.”

Watch the full video here.

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