Sens. Cruz, Lee Lead Amicus Brief in 303 Creative Case for Free Speech

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is leading an amicus brief alongside Senator Mike Lee in support of free speech and religious liberty rights in the case of 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis - a follow-up to the highly publicized Masterpiece Cakeshop case. The lower court in Colorado decided that the government can force Ms. Smith, as a creative website designer and owner of a small business, to design and publish websites promoting messages that violate her beliefs. The amicus brief argues that the First Amendment protects against compelled speech, especially when it violates sincerely held religious beliefs. The brief calls for the Supreme Court to reaffirm that freedom of speech and freedom of religion are core civil liberties protected by the U.S. Constitution.

The brief has support from 20 Senators and 38 members of the House of Representatives.

Senate co-signers of the amicus brief include Senators Ted Cruz (TX), Marsha Blackburn (TN), John Boozman (AR), Mike Braun (IN), John Cornyn (TX), Tom Cotton (AR), Mike Lee (UT), Steve Daines (MT), Chuck Grassley (IA), Josh Hawley (MO), James M. Inhofe (OK), John Kennedy (LA), James Lankford (OK), James E. Risch (ID), Marco Rubio (FL), Ben Sasse (NE), John Thune (SD), Thom Tillis (NC), Tommy Tuberville (AL) and Roger F. Wicker (MS).

About the brief, Senator Cruz said:

“A victory in favor of 303 Creative would mean a victory for religious freedom everywhere. Compelled speech against anyone’s religious beliefs is an egregious infringement on the most fundamental liberties our Constitution protects. Every American should have the freedom to pursue their professions without being forced to sacrifice their religious beliefs.”

Read the brief here.

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