Sponsors (12)
The bill increases U.S. support, tools, training, oversight, and targeted sanctions to help Iranian civil society access information and hold abusers accountable, but it raises costs, legal and procurement burdens for U.S. firms, and significant risks of retaliation and geopolitical escalation that could endanger beneficiaries and complicate diplomacy.
Iranian activists, journalists, and civil-society groups gain more reliable access to uncensored information and connectivity (direct-to-cell, LEO/shortwave broadcasts, VPNs, mesh networks, and circumvention tools), improving their ability to communicate, organize, and document abuses.
U.S. policymakers and enforcement agencies get clearer authorities and intelligence (improved telecom ownership data, coordinated Treasury/Commerce actions, and sanctions tools) to better target human-rights violators and deter companies from enabling repression.
Congress and the public receive stronger oversight and accountability (regular reporting, 120‑day reviews, annual metrics, GAO evaluation, and classified‑annexed strategies) that should improve program management and measurement of U.S. digital‑freedom and broadcasting efforts toward Iran.
Iranian activists, journalists, and beneficiaries risk retaliation, surveillance, arrest, or other harm if their use of U.S.-supported tools or programs is detected or if operational security is imperfect.
U.S. efforts to provide connectivity, broadcasting, or coordinated sanctions could escalate tensions with Iran, raising geopolitical friction, complicating diplomacy, and increasing risks to U.S. personnel and interests abroad.
Taxpayers face increased and open‑ended federal spending (multiple authorizations and several references to 'such sums as may be necessary'), which could grow costs for FY2024–FY2030 and beyond if Congress appropriates added resources.
Based on analysis of 8 sections of legislative text.
Requires State and partner agencies to update and implement a coordinated strategy to expand uncensored internet access, broadcasting, sanctions for repressive tech suppliers, and support programs for Iranian civil society.
Introduced February 24, 2026 by David Harold McCormick · Last progress February 24, 2026
Directs the Secretary of State and other federal agencies to update and carry out a coordinated strategy to expand uncensored internet access, broadcasting, and civil-society support for people in Iran, and to pursue accountability for providers of censorship, surveillance, and internet-shutdown technologies. Requires new interagency planning, technology development and procurement pathways, expanded U.S. broadcasting and media support strategies, cybersecurity training and tools for journalists and human-rights defenders, and quicker reporting and sanction-determination processes following congressional requests; several deliverables must be submitted within 120–180 days of enactment. Authorizes State-led working groups and programs to develop and deploy low-cost, scalable technologies (for example satellite, mesh networks, VPNs, portable systems), directs regular updates of existing Iran internet-freedom strategies, requests audits of recent regional democracy spending, and includes provisions to ensure sanctions enforcement does not block civilian access technologies; funding for some activities is authorized for FY2027–FY2030 as “such sums as may be necessary.” The Act explicitly does not authorize use of military force.