Case Summary $2\mathrm{.}6$: United States v$.$ American Library Association, $539$ U$.$S$.194(2003)$

$($p$.72)$

Facts: In an effort to increase Internet access for the public, Congress passed a law creating the E$-$Rate program $($providing for discounted Internet rates$),$ and the Library Services and Technology Act $($LSTA$),$ which provides financial grants to libraries. At the same time, Congress also passed the Children's Internet Protection Act $($CIPA$).$ CIPA conditions the receipt of federal funds by libraries under the E$-$rate program and LSTA upon their purchasing and installing expensive software that blocks obscene or pornographic material. A group of libraries and citizens filed suit claiming connecting LSTA grant funds to CIPA compliance is unconstitutional.

Is the condition requiring the purchase and installation of blocking software, in order to qualify for discounts and grants, constitutional?

Is the First Amendment at issue in this case?

What regulations or restrictions, if any, may Congress impose on Internet communications?