Sponsors (2)
The bill significantly expands U.S. public-diplomacy, journalism, and technical support to broaden Mandarin-language information access—especially for PRC audiences—while trading off higher recurring federal costs, risks of PRC retaliation, and safety/privacy concerns for the very users it aims to help.
Mandarin-speaking PRC citizens (and diaspora) gain greater access to independent information and tools to bypass censorship, improving freedom of expression and access to human-rights reporting.
U.S. public diplomacy and international broadcasters will have improved reach and coordination to counter disinformation and engage Chinese-speaking audiences, strengthening allied information strategies.
The bill authorizes recurring appropriations and sustained funding for outreach, journalism, and content programs (e.g., $25M/year for State; $50M/year for USAGM), increasing long-term public diplomacy capacity.
U.S. efforts to expand outreach, circumvention, and targeted information to PRC audiences could provoke PRC retaliation or diplomatic escalation, risking trade, travel, consular services, and the safety of Americans and partners in China.
Taxpayers face increased and recurring federal costs to fund outreach, circumvention tools, and grants (including the authorized $25M/year and $50M/year), creating budget trade-offs with other priorities.
Encouraging PRC users to access U.S.-origin content and circumvention tools may expose them to surveillance, prosecution, or reprisals by PRC authorities if detection increases or tools are imperfect, endangering users the programs intend to help.
Based on analysis of 16 sections of legislative text.
Mandates a U.S. strategy, interagency task force, and a grant‑funded Global News Service to expand Mandarin independent information, circumvention tools, and secure sharing for PRC audiences.
Introduced February 5, 2025 by Daniel Scott Sullivan · Last progress February 5, 2025
Requires the U.S. government to create and run an interagency effort to expand Mandarin‑language independent news and information to people in and from the People’s Republic of China, and to develop, fund, and pair tools that help users bypass PRC internet censorship and securely share content. Establishes a presidentially appointed coordinator and task force, mandates an unclassified strategy within one year, and creates a new grant‑funded entity (the Global News Service) under existing U.S. international broadcasting authorities to curate and distribute China‑related reporting. Directs the State Department and other agencies to coordinate content creation and technical solutions, increase support for circumvention and secure‑sharing tools, build networks with Mandarin content creators, and press for greater reciprocal access for U.S. journalists, diplomats, researchers, and companies in the PRC. Requires oversight provisions (GAO audit and Inspector General access) for the new grantee and asks the President to consider tools to address lack of reciprocity, without creating new authorities or emergency funding.