I remember a time when the ACLU and Democrats would have been leading the charge.
It is a shame they no longer believe in it to the same degree. Nowadays, if they disagree with a view they term it racist and/or hate speech.
https://www.thecollegefix.com/republican-senators-new-bill-looks-to-strip-funds-from-public-universities-that-restrict-free-speech/Republican senators’ new bill looks to strip funds from public universities that restrict free speechSNIP:
U.S. Senator Tom Cotton introduced sweeping legislation on Thursday that would require universities to support a variety of free speech measures or face penalties.
The legislation, called the “Campus Free Speech Restoration Act,” prohibits free-speech zones, creates a system to allow students to report First Amendment complaints, and allows the Department of Education to revoke eligibility for federal funding from public and private colleges that violate protected free speech.
“This bill fights back against campus censors in order to defend open debate and free speech, which lead us to truth,” Sen. Cotton, an Arkansas Republican, said in a statement.
The 39-page legislation is co-sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) and Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND).
A news release from Sen. Cotton’s office described the key goals of the legislation:
• Establishes the sense of Congress that students should be free to express and hold their opinions on matters of religion and philosophy on college campuses; that free speech zones and restrictive speech codes are contrary to the First Amendment; and that public colleges should not restrict the First Amendment rights of their students.
• Prohibits public colleges from restricting free speech and expression on campus, except in limited and viewpoint-neutral circumstances consistent with the First Amendment.
• Requires private colleges and universities that receive federal funding to be transparent about their speech policies and enforce those policies in a consistent and neutral manner.
• Creates a review process within the Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education to determine whether campus speech policies infringe on the First Amendment rights of individuals on campus, on penalty of losing federal funding.
• Creates a cause of action in federal court for the Attorney General or other parties to challenge restrictions on speech and expression on campus.