[rchaud]

Wyden knows such a bill wouldn't pass specifically because of its unconstitutionality. This was about picking up media coverage by throwing red meat at voters.

Congress has been in a state of deadlock for too long to pass any actual laws, so this type of performative theater ahead of midterm elections is what passes for statesmanship.

[eli]

That's awfully generous. He co-sponsored a bad law that he didn't actually want to see passed?

[rchaud]

He may definitely want to see it passed. But elected officials should not be engaging in pushing bills that won't pass their first legal challenge.

[eli]

Similar bills have already passed legal challenges https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/eighth-circuit-upholds-...

I think it's a bad law and he's making a big mistake. I'm still a fan though.

[rchaud]

Thanks for the link. Scary to see that the state is re-drafting these laws specifically to find loopholes in the constitutional definitions of freedom of speech. Check out this other loophole:

> The act does not apply to contracts worth less than $1,000, or to companies that offer to provide the goods or services for at least 20 percent less than the lowest price quoted by a business that has complied with the certification requirement.

So, a contractor if free to boycott as long as they cost the taxpayer a little bit less.