Oppose Passport Revocation Bill: Protect Free Speech and Travel Rights

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the bill introduced by Rep. Brian Mast that would grant Secretary of State Marco Rubio the power to revoke passports of American citizens based on their speech or opinions. This alarming legislation, currently set for a hearing, poses a significant threat to our fundamental rights of free speech and freedom of movement. While the bill claims to target "terrorists and traffickers," its broad language could easily be misused to deny citizens their right to travel based solely on their speech or beliefs. The proposed power to revoke passports for those "determined to have provided material support to organizations designated as foreign terrorist organizations" is particularly concerning, given the history of overly broad interpretations of "material support" statutes. We have already seen troubling examples of how such powers can be abused. Secretary Rubio has previously revoked a Turkish student's visa based on an opinion piece, demonstrating a willingness to use his authority to punish speech. This new bill would expand that power dramatically, potentially affecting all American citizens. The bill's appeal process provides little protection against abuse. Both Republican and Democratic administrations could exploit this law to silence critics or punish political opponents. This is not a partisan issue, but a fundamental threat to our civil liberties. I urge you to vote against this bill and any similar legislation that would infringe upon our First Amendment rights or restrict our freedom to travel. Instead, please focus on measures that protect our constitutional freedoms while addressing genuine security concerns through targeted, evidence-based approaches. Our democracy depends on the free exchange of ideas and the ability of citizens to travel freely. This bill undermines both of these crucial principles. Please stand up for the rights of your constituents and all Americans by opposing this dangerous legislation.