1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

Freedom of expression is a fundamental right that must be safeguarded. Senator Mike Lee's proposed Interstate Obscenity Definition Act poses a grave threat to this freedom by seeking to criminalize a vast swath of constitutionally-protected speech and expression. The overly broad definition of "obscenity" in the bill could encompass not just pornography but also artistic, literary, and other works with sexual content. This would have a chilling effect on free expression and open the door to censorship on an unprecedented scale. Banning all pornography is not only an unjustified infringement on personal liberties, but it also fails to address the root causes of societal issues often associated with pornography, such as lack of comprehensive sex education and unhealthy attitudes towards sexuality. Instead of pursuing draconian measures that violate civil liberties, we should advocate for evidence-based policies that promote healthy sexual attitudes and behaviors. Freedom of expression is the bedrock of a free society, and any attempts to curtail it should be met with strong opposition. I implore you to stand up for this essential right and reject the Interstate Obscenity Definition Act. We must remain vigilant in protecting the hard-won freedoms that define our democracy.