Republican Senator Mike Lee introduces bill to redefine 'obscenity' and criminalize pornography, aiming to empower prosecutors to act against it online.
Key Points
Senator Mike Lee and Rep. Mary Miller introduced the Interstate Obscenity Definition Act (IODA)
IODA aims to criminalize pornography and redefine 'obscenity' for the internet era
Conservatives advocate for censorship of pornography due to perceived harmful impacts, especially on younger individuals
Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 policy blueprint aligns with Lee and Miller's bill
Pros
Aims to protect American society from harmful impacts of extreme online content
Seeks to update legal definition of obscenity for the internet age
Empowers law enforcement to target and remove obscene material from the internet
Cons
May infringe on free speech rights and lead to censorship concerns
Promotes a conservative view of morality that may not align with all Americans