'There is a rush': Report shows lawmakers' plan to end lawsuits that silence critics

The left and right want to stop the practice of lawsuits used to silence their critics, and a new bill could finally make it happen.

The one law that could have helped is the PRESS Act, which the GOP-led House already passed. However, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) blocked the vote when it came to the Senate this week.

Mother Jones reporter Sophie Hurwitz wrote Thursday there's still some hope, however.

Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Kevin Kiley (R-CA) authored a bill that could protect journalists, whistleblowers, and individual internet users from the wealthy's use of lawsuits to intimidate foes.

ALSO READ: How the Supreme Court brought America to the brink of dictatorship

SLAPP suits are "Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation," and their purpose is to curb free speech with financial fear.

"A common example is a person suing a media outlet after unfavorable coverage—attempting to bankrupt journalists from lawyers’ fees, even if, in the end, the outlet wins the case. Such suits are already illegal in 34 states," Hurwitz said. "But, on the federal level, there’s no such legislation."

The new bill, the "Free Speech Protection Act," would allow defendants to file a motion to dismiss the case by having the judge classify it as a SLAPP filing. The person bringing the suit would then be penalized and required to pay legal and court fees.

"There is a rush to implement the bill before the next presidency. Trump and his companies have sued a broad range of media companies for defamation, ranging from the New York Times to a local Wisconsin TV station," the report continued. "Most recently, Trump filed a lawsuit against CBS over the editing of Kamala Harris’ '60 Minutes' interview, asserting that the interview’s presentation was 'consumer fraud.' (CBS is moving to get that lawsuit thrown out before Trump assumes the presidency.)"

Last week, Kash Patel, Donald Trump's potential nominee to lead the FBI, sent a legal threat to ex-Homeland Security official Olivia Troye. He said that if she didn't stop saying he lacked the qualifications to serve in the post, he would sue her. Mark Zaid, representing Troye, responded by telling Patel to bring it on.

Raskin introduced a similar bill in 2022, but it failed. Since then, several states have passed anti-SLAPP laws.

Read the full report here.