Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick: Statement on the Passage of Senate Bill 5



 

AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today following the passage of Senate Bill 5, preventing social media censorship, by Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola:

“Texans, regardless of their ideology or message, have the right to take part in digital debates. Senate Bill 5 ensures that social media companies will not be able to deny Texans their right to free speech or discriminate against them because of their point of view. Freedom of speech is a God-given right, and protecting that right is a top priority for Texans. We cannot allow social media platforms – the modern-day town square – to censor the views of Texans.

“This bill has passed the Texas Senate three times now. Final passage of this bill into law will require the House Democrats who have fled the state to return to the House for a quorum. If they do not, this bill will die, but the Senate will pass Senate Bill 5 over and over until the House finally has a quorum.”