Statement on the Three-Judge Panel Decision Declaring the Communications Decency Act Unconstitutional

June 12, 1996

The court in Philadelphia made the right decision. It had the benefit of a primer on how the Internet works. Most members of Congress who voted in favor of this law look at a computer terminal and think it is a TV set on the fritz. A unanimous court made clear that we do not forfeit our First Amendment rights when we go on-line.

Let no one be confused. This is not a victory for child pornography. This is a victory for the First Amendment and for American technology. We have laws to protect against obscenity and child pornography--in both physical space and cyberspace. Our law enforcement officers are vigorously enforcing those laws. The job of Congress should be to make sure they have the resources they need.

I hope other senators will read the court's decision, learn from it, honor the Constitution and respect the rights of the American people by passing S.1567, my bill to repeal these unconstitutional provisions.

I also submitted a declaration to the court during its proceedings. I will continue to lead the fight in the Senate against these unconstitutional provisions.