ms. butler: mr. president. the presiding officer: the senator from california. ms. butler: mr. president, i rise today on the final day recognizing plaque history month to bring attention to this chamber and to the american people watching the very harmful and antidemocratic practice of book banning happening or being attempted in states all over our country. mr. president, the first amendment in our constitution is clear. congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press or the right of the people to peaceably assemble and to petition the government for redress of grievances. this amendment gives all americans the right to speak, publish, and read what they wish, free from government censorship, but a nationwide campaign in states like florida, utah, north dakota, and even california has been deployed to limit our children's learning and enforce restrictions on one of our most fundamental freedoms. right now extremist politicians are working overtime to strip our nation