Lloyd Doggett
Representative for Texas · Democratic · United States
“Authoritarian regimes have often viewed artists as threats precisely because music and creative expression have the unique power to inspire, unite, and give voice to the aspirations of ordinary people. Efforts to intimidate artists through violence are not merely attacks on individuals; they are attacks on cultural expression itself.”
“Authoritarian regimes have often viewed artists as threats precisely because music and creative expression have the unique power to inspire, unite, and give voice to the aspirations of ordinary people. Efforts to intimidate artists through violence are not merely attacks on individuals; they are attacks on cultural expression itself.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E704] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CONDEMNING THE VIOLENT REPRESSION OF MUSICIANS ______ HON.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E704] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CONDEMNING THE VIOLENT REPRESSION OF MUSICIANS ______ HON.”
“Reports indicate that her offense was not violence, incitement, but rather the act of artistic expression itself. The Congressional Musicians' Caucus was established to recognize the vital role that music and musicians play in enriching societies, strengthening cultures, and advancing mutual understanding.”
“Reports indicate that her offense was not violence, incitement, but rather the act of artistic expression itself. The Congressional Musicians' Caucus was established to recognize the vital role that music and musicians play in enriching societies, strengthening cultures, and advancing mutual understanding.”
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“Regardless of nationality, ideology, religion, or political viewpoint, artists should be free to create and perform without fear of physical retaliation from their governments. I stand in solidarity with artists everywhere whose non-violent, creative voices are threatened by repression and in the hope that cultural expression may continue to serve as a bridge between peoples rather than a basis for punishment. ____________________”
“The international community should never become indifferent to such actions. I recognize and appreciate the efforts of organizations such as the National Music Council of the United States, the Songwriters Guild of America, the Society of Composers & Lyricists, and others that continue to draw attention to cases in which musicians and music creators face persecution because of their artistic work. Bringing these incidents into public view helps ensure that such abuses do not occur unnoticed. I affirm my support for the freedom of artistic expression and my opposition to the use of violence, intimidation, or physical punishment against musicians, composers, songwriters, poets, and other creators.”
“Authoritarian regimes have often viewed artists as threats precisely because music and creative expression have the unique power to inspire, unite, and give voice to the aspirations of ordinary people. Efforts to intimidate artists through violence are not merely attacks on individuals; they are attacks on cultural expression itself. From the persecution of Chilean songwriter Victor Jara during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, to the denunciation and censorship of Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich under the Soviet regime, to the repeated imprisonment and violent targeting of Nigerian musician Fela Kuti for criticizing military rule, history demonstrates that the suppression of artistic voices is often an early warning sign of broader assaults on fundamental freedoms.”
“Reports indicate that her offense was not violence, incitement, but rather the act of artistic expression itself. The Congressional Musicians' Caucus was established to recognize the vital role that music and musicians play in enriching societies, strengthening cultures, and advancing mutual understanding. While members of Congress may hold differing views on many international issues, we can stand together in support of the principle that creators should never face physical punishment, imprisonment, or violence for creating and sharing their artistic works. History offers far too many examples of governments seeking to silence musicians, songwriters, composers, and poets whose voices resonate with the public.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E704] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CONDEMNING THE VIOLENT REPRESSION OF MUSICIANS ______ HON. LLOYD DOGGETT of texas in the house of representatives Monday, July 20, 2026 Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to condemn the violent repression of musicians. As Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Musicians' Caucus, I express my profound concern regarding reports that Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi has been sentenced by that nation to public flogging for appearing in a musical performance without adhering to government- imposed dress requirements.”
“Regardless of nationality, ideology, religion, or political viewpoint, artists should be free to create and perform without fear of physical retaliation from their governments. I stand in solidarity with artists everywhere whose non-violent, creative voices are threatened by repression and in the hope that cultural expression may continue to serve as a bridge between peoples rather than a basis for punishment. ____________________”
“The international community should never become indifferent to such actions. I recognize and appreciate the efforts of organizations such as the National Music Council of the United States, the Songwriters Guild of America, the Society of Composers & Lyricists, and others that continue to draw attention to cases in which musicians and music creators face persecution because of their artistic work. Bringing these incidents into public view helps ensure that such abuses do not occur unnoticed. I affirm my support for the freedom of artistic expression and my opposition to the use of violence, intimidation, or physical punishment against musicians, composers, songwriters, poets, and other creators.”
“Authoritarian regimes have often viewed artists as threats precisely because music and creative expression have the unique power to inspire, unite, and give voice to the aspirations of ordinary people. Efforts to intimidate artists through violence are not merely attacks on individuals; they are attacks on cultural expression itself. From the persecution of Chilean songwriter Victor Jara during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, to the denunciation and censorship of Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich under the Soviet regime, to the repeated imprisonment and violent targeting of Nigerian musician Fela Kuti for criticizing military rule, history demonstrates that the suppression of artistic voices is often an early warning sign of broader assaults on fundamental freedoms.”
“Reports indicate that her offense was not violence, incitement, but rather the act of artistic expression itself. The Congressional Musicians' Caucus was established to recognize the vital role that music and musicians play in enriching societies, strengthening cultures, and advancing mutual understanding. While members of Congress may hold differing views on many international issues, we can stand together in support of the principle that creators should never face physical punishment, imprisonment, or violence for creating and sharing their artistic works. History offers far too many examples of governments seeking to silence musicians, songwriters, composers, and poets whose voices resonate with the public.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E704] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CONDEMNING THE VIOLENT REPRESSION OF MUSICIANS ______ HON. LLOYD DOGGETT of texas in the house of representatives Monday, July 20, 2026 Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to condemn the violent repression of musicians. As Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Musicians' Caucus, I express my profound concern regarding reports that Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi has been sentenced by that nation to public flogging for appearing in a musical performance without adhering to government- imposed dress requirements.”
“With soaring debt, plummeting markets, and a measles outbreak, I have to give the Republicans credit for turning America red, but not the way we expected.”
“Mr. Speaker, Speaker Johnson calls our soaring national debt the ``number one threat'' to our Nation. The Republican Senate leader says that it is a ``ticking time bomb'' just before he lights the fuse with this sorry resolution that hikes the debt by $6 trillion. The independent Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget urges us to reject this ``unprecedented level of fiscal recklessness.'' Republicans are borrowing trillions more so Elon and his billionaire buddies can get more. Already a wrecking ball to our democracy, Trump, the self-described ``king of debt,'' is king today with his schemes to spike the debt as the Musk DOGE charade wrecks public services and Trump's ``beautiful'' tariff wrecks our economy and heads us straight toward a recession.”