Freedom of Speech Squelched in NH House

At the last session of the NH House, Representative Candace Bouchard, a Democrat from Concord, demonstrated contempt for the First Amendment, a complete disregard of House tradition, and total disrespect to her Republican colleague from Rochester.  Representative Warren Groen was recognized to address the House about the 41st anniversary of the Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, but before he could utter a single word, Representative Bouchard immediately objected to him speaking.  In doing so she successfully censored his message because she selfishly assumed it would be something she did not want to hear.  Her decision as self-appointed guardian of acceptable speech in the NH House has set the stage for a showdown at the next House session.

Whenever the House is in session and it has concluded its business for that day, any member is afforded the opportunity to address the body by unanimous consent.  Historically members request, and are granted, unanimous consent to address their colleagues on virtually any subject matter they desire.  It could be as a memorial tribute to someone like Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., or a former House member who has passed away.  It may be to commemorate an important holiday, historical event, or sometimes just to share a light-hearted story.

Whether their message is serious, humorous, or reverently solemn, no member has ever, in living memory, been denied the courtesy of addressing the other members – until yesterday (1-22-14).  It cannot be claimed that this unprecedented rudeness was in response to offensive or inappropriate remarks, because Representative Bouchard did not give Representative Groen a chance to even begin speaking.  Her action was unquestionably a premeditated effort to stifle his message before he could deliver it.

It is important to note, neither Candace Bouchard nor any other Representative was a captive audience.  She could have simply left the room if she did not want to listen to the comments of Representative Groen or anyone else speaking by unanimous consent.  When Candace chose not to do that, but instead, objected to Warren Groen speaking, she shattered a tradition that has always existed in the NH House. 

I hope Candace sees the light, swallows her pride, and is willing to apologize to Warren and the other members of the House at next week’s session for this needless intolerance of other people’s views.  Talking about civility, reaching across the aisle, and working together is all quite shallow and meaningless if this new practice of shutting down another member’s speech before he or she is heard is left unchecked.  If Candace obstinately refuses to relinquish her newly adopted roll as thought police for the House, and continues her objection to Representative Groen speaking by unanimous consent, we can expect to see many, if not all, future requests for unanimous consent being objected to and Candace Bouchard will be the one responsible when that happens.

David Bates
Former House Member from Windham