Libel tourism bill re-introduced in House

A libel tourism bill was re-introduced in the House last week by Rep. Peter King (R-NY).

The bill, H.R. 1304, would prevent U.S. courts from recognizing foreign libel judgments against U.S. defendants that are repugnant to the First Amendment. It would also create a cause of action for defendants to countersue the plaintiffs who bring those libel lawsuits.

A companion bill was introduced by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) earlier this year. A separate libel tourism bill, which does not reach as far as King’s and Specter’s bill because it does not create a cause of action, was passed in the House last year and has not yet been re-introduced. That bill was sponsored by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.).