Sponsors (74)
Introduced February 20, 2026 by Michael Lawler · Last progress February 20, 2026
The bill increases U.S. support for Iranian internet freedom, independent media, and accountability for human‑rights abusers—strengthening information access and sanctions tools—while raising risks of geopolitical escalation, costs to taxpayers and businesses, and potential harms to vulnerable local partners and due‑process protections.
People in Iran (protesters, journalists, dissidents, women, LGBTQ individuals, ethnic minorities, urban and rural communities) would gain more resilient, practical access to uncensored information and communications through expanded internet‑freedom technologies, Persian‑language broadcasting, and direct support for independent reporters (equipment, training, relocation), improving their ability s
U.S. authorities would more aggressively identify and pursue Iranian kleptocracy and suppliers of censorship/surveillance tech — increasing chances of asset recovery, prosecutions, and sanctions against human‑rights violators and complicit companies
Congress and the public would get improved oversight, transparency, and coordination (updated internet‑freedom strategy, public reporting, written determinations, and annual performance metrics), enabling clearer accountability of executive actions and program effectiveness
U.S. actions to expand communications access, name and sanction Iranian actors, and pursue illicit assets could draw the United States deeper into Iran’s internal affairs and escalate geopolitical tensions or provoke retaliation affecting national security and taxpayers
Authorized programs, pilots, broadcasting support, and expanded enforcement will increase federal spending and impose additional compliance and operational costs on banks and businesses that may be passed on to consumers and taxpayers
Technical assistance, pilot testing, public naming, and support for diaspora/media could expose Iranian partners, local NGOs, citizen reporters, and other vulnerable individuals to reprisals, surveillance, or harm if identities or methods are compromised
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Expands U.S. internet‑freedom strategy and tech pilots for Iran, mandates financial and sanctions analyses and FinCEN action, and backs independent Iranian media support.
Directs U.S. agencies to expand and coordinate efforts to restore unrestricted internet and civilian communications in Iran, to identify and target Iranian regime-linked elites and parastatal entities for potential sanctions and financial restrictions, and to support independent Iranian media. It requires detailed interagency reports and analyses, creates a FinCEN-led anti‑kleptocracy initiative, charges the Defense Innovation Unit with piloting and deploying low‑cost communications technologies (with modest authorization of funds), and obliges the President to respond to congressional requests about sanctioning named foreign persons tied to regime abuses. The measure combines technology-development support (satellite, mesh, portable systems, VPNs), financial and sanctions-related reporting and analysis, and nonbinding direction to expand broadcasting and media assistance to Iranian audiences; it sets multiple deadlines for reports and annual progress updates and authorizes small annual funding for DIU pilot activities through FY2027–FY2030.