Freedom of speech “is essential to our democratic form of government.” Janus v. Am. Fed’n of State, Cnty., & Mun. Emps., Council 31, 138 S. Ct. 2448, 2464 (2018). That freedom prohibits the government from “regulat[ing] speech based on its substantive content or the message it conveys.” Rosenberger v. Rector & Visitors of Univ. of Va., 515 U.S. 819, 828 (1995). And as a corollary, it ensures that the government “may not favor one speaker over another.” Id.

Introduction to Amicus brief filed by 34 Senators in favor of the petition of Capital Hill Baptist Church.