Accountability for Government Censorship Act
United StatesLow threat- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- Became Law
Stage 1 of 4: Introduced
Would force federal agencies to disclose their attempts to make platforms remove, suppress, label, or restrict access to lawful speech.
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Contact LawmakersWhat it does
H.R.9133 would require every federal agency, including offices within the Executive Office of the President, to report platform communications during the preceding five years that sought to remove or suppress lawful speech, attach disclaimers or alerts to it, or restrict a person’s access to a platform. Agencies would identify the officials and platform employees involved, any claimed legal authority, the justification, the outcome, and coordinating agencies. OMB would compile the information for Congress, and agency inspectors general would review compliance. Core identifying information and claimed authority would have to remain unclassified, while other portions could appear in a classified annex.
What’s at stake
Government pressure can produce censorship without a statute, court order, or public record. Requiring agencies to identify who contacted a platform and what authority they claimed would expose part of that informal system and give Congress, journalists, and affected speakers evidence for oversight. The bill looks backward and requires disclosure; it does not prohibit future coercion, notify targeted speakers, publish the complete report, or create a remedy for people whose speech was suppressed.
Our take
We support exposing federal attempts to manipulate lawful online speech. The measure would be stronger with public disclosure of the full unclassified record, notice to targeted speakers, continuing reporting, and an enforceable remedy. Its reporting mandate complements the JAWBONE Act’s broader prohibition and cause of action.
Timeline
Introduced
Sponsor
Scott Perry (R-PA)
Cosponsors (1)
W. Steube (R-FL)
Committee
Oversight and Government Reform Committee
Previous versions
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