Free speech is one of the most important elements of a free and democratic society. Our ability to express ourselves freely without the government trying to curtail or suppress the content of our speech is fundamental to our Constitutional values.
Unfortunately, efforts by governments to silence speech it doesn't approve of are threatening to upend democracy both at home and abroad. One example of this is in Brazil, where the battle for free speech is reaching a breaking point.
I joined my colleagues on the House Foreign Affairs Committee to investigate the case of Brazil, where Supreme Court Minister Alexandre de Moraes is using the power of the State to censor opposition voices on social media. While other social media companies have relented to the Brazilian government, Elon Musk and his company X (formerly Twitter) have refused to comply without a fight.
As independent journalist Michael Shellenberger told me during my line of questioning, Musk is using his economic power to challenge de Moraes on his censorship policy in the Brazilian justice system, even at his company's expense.
I praised Elon Musk for taking the initiative to stand up for free speech in Brazil, and I hope we can emulate this model of liberty here at home.
Read more about my questioning at the hearing here.
