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Wyden knows such a bill wouldn't pass specifically because of its unconstitutionality. This was about picking up media coverage by throwing red meat at voters.
by rchaud 3y ago
Wyden knows such a bill wouldn't pass specifically because of its unconstitutionality. This was about picking up media coverage by throwing red meat at voters.
Congress has been in a state of deadlock for too long to pass any actual laws, so this type of performative theater ahead of midterm elections is what passes for statesmanship.
- eli 3y agoThat's awfully generous. He co-sponsored a bad law that he didn't actually want to see passed?
- rchaud 3y agoHe may definitely want to see it passed. But elected officials should not be engaging in pushing bills that won't pass their first legal challenge.
- eli 3y agoSimilar bills have already passed legal challenges https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/eighth-circuit-upholds-arkansas-anti-bds-law https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/eighth-circuit-upholds-... I think it's a bad law and he's making a big mistake. I'm still a fan though.
- rchaud 3y agoThanks for the link. Scary to see that the state is re-drafting these laws specifically to find loopholes in the constitutional definitions of freedom of speech. Check out this other loophole: > The act does not apply to contracts worth less than $1,000, or to companies that offer to provide the goods or services for at least 20 percent less than the lowest price quoted by a business that has complied with the certification requirement. So, a contractor if free to boycott as long as they cost the taxpayer a little bit less.