Minnesota: Suppression of Political Speech Legislation a Major Threat to Minnesotans

House File 1944 and Senate File 1915, politically motivated measures aimed at suppressing political speech by membership organizations such as the NRA, continue to move quickly through the Minnesota legislature and could be voted on at any time by either chamber.  These flawed and dangerous bills overreach to impose excessive regulatory burdens and pose a grave risk to freedom of speech in Minnesota. 

HF 1944 and SF 1915 would require organizations like the NRA, who engage in political speech, to disclose the names of many of their donors, including those who pay membership dues.  This legislation would re-brand what is now recognized as free speech as “elections speech,” thereby subjecting it to strict and onerous regulations – regulations that would tell organizations what they can and cannot say depending on the time of year.  

The NRA strongly opposes this attempt to inhibit fundamental First Amendment rights by forcing disclosure of the names, addresses, and contributions by those who affiliate themselves with groups that disseminate candidate information.  Minnesotans should be able to express their political beliefs without fear of retaliation from political opponents. 

SF 1915 and HF 1944 would accomplish little more than to violate freedom of speech and association, and subject politically active Minnesotans to potential harassment and political bullying through exposure of their personal affairs.  This legislation would even go so far as to inhibit the NRA’s ability to provide candidate information at critical times before an election.  This legislation is simply an attempt by some misguided state politicians to control and discourage any criticism of them and their records.  The NRA takes this threat to the political freedom of Minnesotans very seriously and requests your help in opposing this harmful measure. 

Your immediate action is needed – please contact your state Senator and Representative TODAY and demand their opposition to SF 1915 and HF 1944.  Contact information for your state Senator can be found here.  Contact information for your state Representative can be found here.  

Click here to identify who represents you.