“The idea that bloggers criticizing a politician should register with the government is insane,” wrote Gingrich in a tweet.

“It is an embarrassment that it is a Republican state legislator in Florida who introduced a bill to that effect. He should withdraw it immediately.”

Brodeur’s proposed bill also received criticism from Clay Calvert, a University of Florida professor emeritus of law who dubbed it “highly problematic.”

“It is tantamount to requiring bloggers to register, and that’s a form of licensing. One of the reasons we have the First Amendment is to give the press freedom, and to be free from government control,” Calvert told Newsweek.