US Senate Panel Advances Bill to Block Government Pressure on Private Speech

The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday approved legislation that would prohibit government officials from pressuring private companies to censor speech.

Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell said the measure could have allowed ABC late night host Jimmy Kimmel to sue if it had been in effect when Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr pressured broadcasters over Kimmel’s remarks following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The bill comes amid concerns over government involvement in decisions made by private companies about speech and content.