FREEDOM Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6469
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-04: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-30T08:05:44Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation requires the preparation of an updated report on internet freedom in Iran, focusing on emerging telecommunications technologies and their potential to expand access while assessing related risks.
Key Provisions
- Mandates the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of the Treasury, to submit a report to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations within 120 days of enactment.
- The report must update and supplement the strategy required under section 5124 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025.
- Requires inclusion of specific additional elements:
- An assessment of direct-to-cell wireless communications technologies for expanding internet access in Iran, covering technical, regulatory, and security factors.
- An analysis of how drone-based platforms, signal jamming technologies, and related countermeasures could affect the feasibility, security, economics, and resilience of such technologies.
- A survey of terrestrial and non-terrestrial telecommunications providers active in Iran, including details on state ownership or control, foreign participation or investment, and implications for communications freedom and censorship.
- Any other relevant information on opportunities and risks associated with these technologies.
- The report must be submitted in unclassified form, though a classified annex is permitted.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill introduces a new, time-bound reporting requirement that builds directly on an existing mandate from the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, expanding its scope to address specific emerging technologies and provider ownership structures not previously detailed in that law.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Directs coordinated input from the State Department, FCC, and Treasury, potentially influencing resource allocation for foreign policy analysis and regulatory reviews.
- On citizens: Aims to evaluate tools that could affect internet access for people in Iran, though the bill itself does not authorize any direct actions.
- On international relations: Focuses on communications infrastructure involving Iran, which may inform U.S. policy considerations regarding technology exports, foreign investments, and regional stability.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Congress (specifically the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations Committees).
- Executive branch agencies (State Department, FCC, Treasury Department).
- Telecommunications service providers operating in or connected to Iran.
- The government and people of Iran.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The legislation operates within established foreign affairs authorities and does not alter constitutional powers or create new regulatory regimes. It emphasizes unclassified reporting with an optional classified supplement, maintaining standard practices for sensitive national security information.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (37)
Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10], Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Mills, Cory [R-FL-7], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Bean, Aaron [R-FL-4], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], Rep. Himes, James A. [D-CT-4]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-04: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 2025-12-04: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-04: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Feasibility Review of Emerging Equipment for Digital Open Media Act — issued 2025-12-04 — PDF (3 pages)