• by Wendy Davis  @wendyndavis, April 22, 2022

Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee on Friday demanded that Twitter's board of directors preserve records related to Tesla CEO Elon Musk's takeover bid.

"Decisions regarding Twitter's future governance will undoubtedly be consequential for public discourse in the United States and could give rise to renewed efforts to legislate in furtherance of preserving free expression online," Rep. Jim Jordan (Ohio) and 17 other Republican lawmakers say in a letter sent Friday to Twitter board member Bret Taylor.

The letter specifically requests that the board preserve "all records and materials relating to Musk's offer to purchase Twitter, including Twitter's consideration and response to this offer, and Twitter's evaluation of its shareholder interests with respect to Musk's offer."

The move is seen as paving the way for a congressional inquiry into Twitter, if Republicans take over Congress next year.

Republicans in Congress have frequently criticized Twitter over its content-moderation policies, arguing that the company disproportionately suppresses right-wing views.

On Friday, Rep. Andy Biggs (Arizona), who signed the letter, said on Twitter that the company's response to the hostile takeover bid was "concerning."

"Twitter's Board Members should respect the interests of its shareholders and not place fringe progressive policy goals above them," the lawmaker tweeted. "The reactions so far in response to Elon Musk's offer to purchase Twitter are concerning."

Musk has also criticized Twitter over its content policies, suggesting that the company suppresses too much content. But despite his complaints about the platform, it's not clear how Musk would revise those policies if he took over the company.

Musk reportedly said that if he took over, the would not necessarily "promote" especially controversial tweets, and that he doesn't have “all the answers.”

The House Republicans' letter comes in the same week that Republican Florida governor Ron DeSantis said the state was weighing legal action against Twitter for attempting to prevent Musk's takeover.

Earlier this month, Musk offered to purchase Twitter for $43 billion, or $54.30 a share -- which was around 18% higher than the share price at the time.

Twitter's board of directors responded by adopting a "poison pill" strategy aimed at preventing Musk from taking over the company. 

Florida's pension fund holds shares of Twitter, which could give the state grounds to sue.