Abuse of power & retaliation
Senate Commerce Committee advanced a bipartisan bill to let people sue federal officials who coerce companies into suppressing lawful speech
Confidence: Confirmed · 3 sourcesUnited States · Sep 24, 2026
Subject of this story
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Also named
Advocate
Ted Cruz, U.S. Senator, Texas
Ron Wyden, U.S. Senator, Oregon
What happened
Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced the JAWBONE Act (S. 4749) on June 11, 2026, which would bar federal agencies and employees from coercing broadcasters, online platforms, or AI providers into moderating speech, with exceptions for lawful investigations and warrants, and would let those coerced sue. The bill also creates a public portal requiring officials to log summaries of relevant communications with regulated companies, so people can check whether they were affected. The Senate Commerce Committee advanced the bill on an 18-10 vote.
Sources (3)
S.4749 - JAWBONE Act, 119th CongressA bill to prohibit the Federal Government from coercing or attempting to coerce interactive computer services, broadcast licensees, or artificial intelligence companies to censor speech protected under the First Amendment.
Cruz, Wyden Introduce Legislation to Guard First Amendment Speech Rights Against Government JawboningThe JAWBONE Act would hold the government accountable for censorship and violations of the First Amendment by prohibiting federal officials from coercing regulated entities to suppress lawful speech.
Inside RadioThe Senate Commerce Committee advanced the JAWBONE Act on an 18-10 vote.
Response
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
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What happened next (0)
No outcome recorded yet.