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'Milo Bill' Targets Free Speech At Universities

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A proposed bill called the "Milo Bill" would prohibit state universities from cancelling a speaker if students are protesting and giving students free speech.

Thursday was the last day for lawmakers to file bills for the 2017 Legislative session.

A number of controversial proposals are about to become hot button issues. Among them was the "Milo Bill."

It's named after Milo Yiannopolous, the controversial editor of the Alt Right publication Breitbart.

Representative Martin Daniel and Joey Hensley, both Republicans, said what happened at UC Berkeley last week was troubling.

The university there canceled Milo's appearance after riots and protests broke out.

This bill would prohibits state universities from cancelling a speaker if students are protesting. If passed, it would mandate universities create a policy guaranteeing students free speech.

Something state run universities already have. The move drew some sharp criticism today.

"Are you saying the 1st Amendment of the Constitution doesn't do enough to protect free speech? The universities have forgotten, abandoned and abdicated their responsibility to guarantee the rights our constitution sets forth," said Martin Daniel.

"I'm all for free speech but that gives me the free speech right to say whoever sponsored the bill that they focus on something that mattered instead of sucking up to Breitbart," said Jeff Yarbro.

At one point during Thursday's news conference a letter from Milo Yiannopolous was read, thanking Tennessee legislators for proposing this bill and naming it after him.