SE North Carolina News

Senator Ted Budd and Rep. Richard Hudson, both Republicans from North Carolina, have filed an amicus curiae brief in the Supreme Court in NRA v. Vullo. The brief calls on the Court to prevent the State of New York from using its regulatory power to impose financial blacklists on the National Rifle Association (NRA) and other advocacy organizations based on their personal beliefs.

In 2018, Maria Vullo, the Superintendent of the State of New York’s Department of Financial Services (DFS), issued formal guidance to banks and insurance companies in the state, urging them to sever ties with the NRA. She also promised leniency to insurers that ceased doing business with the NRA and imposed multimillion dollar fines on longtime NRA insurers, prohibiting them from engaging in future lawful business partnerships with the organization.

Senator Budd expressed his concerns about the actions taken by New York state officials, stating, "Left-wing New York state officials have attempted to weaponize the state government to punish a political group purely because they believe in Second Amendment rights. This blatantly unconstitutional action fundamentally undermines the right of free speech and equal justice under law." He also highlighted the potential consequences for smaller advocacy groups in other states, stating, "If New York State can financially blacklist a large organization like the NRA, what’s to stop a smaller group in another state from facing the same threat and not having the ability to defend itself. The Constitution’s basic tenets are at stake in this case, and I’m proud to team up with my friend Rep. Hudson to defend the First Amendment right of freedom of expression."

Rep. Hudson echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of protecting free speech. He said, "Using intimidation tactics to pressure financial institutions into severing ties with the NRA is a deliberate attempt to silence and suppress free speech. I’m proud to lead this amicus brief in defense of the NRA and its First Amendment rights, and I won’t stop fighting to stop government agencies from abusing their power to target our constitutionally protected freedoms."

The amicus curiae brief was also signed by several other senators and representatives who share the same concerns about the protection of First Amendment rights. The brief aims to ensure that advocacy organizations, regardless of their beliefs, are not subjected to financial blacklisting by government entities.

The Supreme Court will now consider the arguments presented in the amicus curiae brief, and its decision in NRA v. Vullo could have significant implications for the protection of free speech and the right to express personal beliefs.

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