[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7622 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7622
To support human rights and internet freedom in Iran and hold the
Iranian regime accountable for the repression of the Iranian people.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 20, 2026
Mr. Lawler (for himself and Mr. Sherman) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition
to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To support human rights and internet freedom in Iran and hold the
Iranian regime accountable for the repression of the Iranian people.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom,
and Accountability Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF POLICY.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) For nearly 5 decades, the people of Iran have endured
brutal repression under the Islamic Republic, a regime that
denies basic human rights, silences dissidents, and responds to
peaceful protest with violence.
(2) The people of Iran have courageously taking to the
streets to demand economic opportunity, human rights, dignity,
and freedom.
(3) The Islamic Republic has responded to the ongoing
protests with brutality by reportedly killing over 30,000
people and wounding thousands more, arresting approximate
40,000, and restricting internet access and telephone lines.
(4) The people of Iran are in part protesting the Islamic
regime's economic mismanagement, corruption, internal
suppression, and unjust executions.
(5) Access to free expression, open information, and
uncensored communication are fundamental human rights.
(6) The inspiring 2022 Women, Life, Freedom protests
demanded an end to the Islamic Republic and its violence,
including against Iranian women and ethnic minorities.
(7) The barbaric so-called morality police and other arms
of state suppression have a lengthy history of repressing the
Iranian people's fundamental freedoms, including the freedom to
assemble, the freedom of religion, women's rights, and LGBTQ
rights.
(8) The Islamic regime has engaged in systematic efforts to
intimidate, harass, detain, and harm political dissidents,
activists, and journalists both within Iran and beyond its
borders.
(9) The people of Iran deserve the right to dignity,
democracy, and self-determination and to be free from the
brutality of the Islamic Republic.
(b) Statement of Policy.--It shall be the policy of the United
States to--
(1) recognize the right of the Iranian people to freely
determine, through free and fair elections, the nature of their
political regime;
(2) facilitate the immediate expansion of unrestricted
internet access and civilian lines of communication across
Iran;
(3) fully enforce sanctions against regime human rights
violators and their family members, including any family
members and associates in the United States that continue to
directly or indirectly provide support to the regime; and
(4) work in coordination with its allies to consider and
implement all necessary and appropriate measures to deter
further lethal violence against protesters.
SEC. 3. INTERNET FREEDOM AND CENSORSHIP CIRCUMVENTION.
(a) Internet Freedom Report.--
(1) In general.--Section 5124 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (22 U.S.C. 8754a) is
amended--
(A) in subsection (a)(2), in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking ``subparagraph (A)'' and
inserting ``paragraph (1)''; and
(B) by adding at the end of subsection (a)(2) the
following new subparagraphs:
``(H) An assessment of the feasibility of using
direct-to-cell wireless communications technologies to
expand internet access for the people of Iran,
including technical, regulatory, and security
considerations.
``(I) An analysis of how drone-based platforms,
signal jamming technologies, and related
countermeasures could impact the feasibility, security,
economics, and resilience of such direct-to-cell
wireless communications.
``(J) A survey of terrestrial and non-terrestrial
telecommunications service providers currently active
in Iran, including--
``(i) whether such providers are State-
owned or State-controlled;
``(ii) the extent of foreign participation
or investment in such providers;
``(iii) the implications of such ownership
and control for communications freedom and
censorship; and
``(iv) any other relevant information to
assess the opportunities and risks associated
with terrestrial and non-terrestrial
communications technologies in Iran.''.
(2) First update required.--Not later than 120 days after
the date of the enactment of the Act, the Secretary of State,
in consultation with the Federal Communications Commission and
the Department of the Treasury, shall prepare and submit to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a periodic
update described in paragraph (4) of section 5124(a) of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (22
U.S.C. 8754a) for the strategy required by that section, that
includes the new matter added by the amendments made by
paragraph (1) of this Act.
(b) Extension and Increase of Authorization for Iran Internet
Freedom Grant Program.--Section 5124 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-59), as amended
by subsection (a), is further amended in subsection (b)(5)(A), by
inserting ``and $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through
2030'' after ``2026''.
(c) Development of Internet Access Technologies by the Defense
Innovation Unit.--
(1) In general.--The Defense Innovation Unit (referred to
in this section as the ``Unit'') shall support the development
of low-cost, easily scalable, and rapidly deployable
technologies to counter internet shutdowns or limitations on
network in Iran to enable the Iranian population to overcome
such restrictions.
(2) Objectives.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the Unit
shall prioritize the following objectives:
(A) Identifying and supporting the development of
technologies capable of overcoming internet blackouts
and network disruptions imposed by Iran and
facilitating internet and network access, including--
(i) low-Earth orbit satellite internet
infrastructure;
(ii) mesh networking solutions; and
(iii) portable and deployable communication
systems.
(B) Virtual private networks.
(C) Collaborating with industry, academia, and
relevant stakeholders to accelerate the research,
development, and deployment of such technologies.
(D) Conducting pilot programs and field experiments
to test the effectiveness and scalability of
technologies the development of which the Unit
supported under this subsection in real-world settings.
(E) Providing technical assistance and resources to
partner organizations, governments, and non-
governmental entities engaged in efforts to expand
internet access.
(F) Identifying and evaluating commercially
available off-the-shelf items (as defined in section
104 of title 41, United States Code) that could be
rapidly procured and deployed to address internet
access challenges in targeted regions.
(3) Collaboration with defense acquisition university.--The
Unit shall collaborate with the Defense Acquisition University
regarding the acquisition processes and practices related to
carrying out the objectives under paragraph (2) for the
purposes of--
(A) integrating best practices in defense
acquisition into the research, development, and
deployment processes of technologies the development of
which the Unit supports under this subsection to
facilitate internet access;
(B) ensuring that technologies the development of
which the Unit supports under this subsection align
with the priorities and strategies of the Department of
Defense for acquisition;
(C) providing training and educational
opportunities for Unit personnel on acquisition
principles, regulations, and procedures, with a focus
on technology development for countering censorship and
related restrictions;
(D) fostering dialogue and the exchange of
knowledge between acquisition professionals and
innovation specialists to enhance the effectiveness and
efficiency of the acquisition of defense technology
related to internet access technologies; and
(E) the Unit and the Defense Acquisition University
collaborating on the development of acquisition
strategies that prioritize the rapid acquisition and
deployment of technologies aimed at countering
censorship and restrictions on accessing the internet.
(4) Reporting.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the
Director of the Unit shall submit to the Secretary of Defense
and the congressional defense committees (as defined in section
101(a) of title 10, United States Code) a report detailing the
progress, challenges, and outcomes of the efforts undertaken
pursuant to this subsection.
(5) Funding.--There is authorized to be appropriated
$2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030 to carry
out the activities described in this subsection.
SEC. 4. STOP CORRUPT IRANIAN OLIGARCHS AND ENTITIES.
(a) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury, in
consultation with the Director of National Intelligence and the
Secretary of State, shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a detailed report on the following:
(A) Senior foreign political figures and oligarchs
in Iran, including the following:
(i) An identification of the most
significant senior foreign political figures
and oligarchs in Iran, as determined by the
closeness to the Government of the Islamic
Republic of Iran of each such figure and
oligarch, and the estimated net worth of each
such figure and oligarch.
(ii) An assessment of the relationship
between the individuals identified under clause
(i) and President Masoud Pezeshkian or other
members of the ruling elite of the Islamic
Republic of Iran.
(iii) An identification of any indices of
corruption with respect to such individuals.
(iv) Known sources of income of such
individuals and their family members (including
spouses, children, parents, and siblings),
including relevant beneficial ownership
information.
(v) An identification of the non-Iranian
business affiliations of such individuals.
(B) Islamic Republic of Iran parastatal entities,
including an assessment of the following:
(i) The emergence of Islamic Republic of
Iran parastatal entities and their role in the
economy of Iran.
(ii) The leadership structures and
beneficial ownership of such entities.
(iii) An identification of the non-Iranian
business affiliations of such entities.
(C) Information relating to the exposure of key
economic sectors of the United States, including, at
minimum, the banking, securities, insurance, and real
estate sectors, to Islamic Republic of Iran politically
affiliated persons, Islamic Republic of Iran parastatal
entities, and other Islamic Republic of Iran state-
owned enterprises.
(D) Information relating to the likely effects of
imposing debt and equity restrictions on Islamic
Republic of Iran parastatal entities, as well as the
anticipated effects of adding Islamic Republic of Iran
parastatal entities to the list of Specially Designated
Nationals maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets
Control of the Department of the Treasury.
(E) Information relating to the potential impacts
of imposing sanctions or debt and equity restrictions
in addition to any such sanctions or restrictions in
existence as of the date of the enactment of this Act
on Islamic Republic of Iran oligarchs, Islamic Republic
of Iran parastatal entities, or Islamic Republic of
Iran state-owned enterprises, including impacts on such
oligarchs, entities, and enterprises and on the economy
of Iran, as well as on the economies of the United
States and United States allies.
(2) Form.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall be
submitted in unclassified form and may contain a classified
annex.
(3) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(i) the Committee on Financial Services,
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the
Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives; and
(ii) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs, the Committee on Foreign
Relations, and the Committee on Finance of the
Senate.
(B) Islamic republic of iran parastatal entities.--
The term ``Islamic Republic of Iran parastatal
entities'' means entities--
(i) in which the ownership interest of the
Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran is
at least 25 percent; and
(ii) that had 2024 revenues of
approximately $2,000,000,000 or more.
(C) Senior foreign political figure.--The term
``senior foreign political figure'' has the meaning
given such term in section 1010.605 of title 31, Code
of Federal Regulations (or any corresponding similar
regulation or ruling).
(b) Iran Kleptocracy Initiative.--Section 310 of title 31, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(m) Iran Kleptocracy Initiative.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is established within FinCEN
the Iran Kleptocracy Initiative (hereinafter in this subsection
referred to as the `Initiative'), to investigate, expose,
disrupt, and prosecute corruption, money laundering, and
racketeering activities by Islamic Republic of Iran government
officials, their family members, associates, and proxies.
``(2) Director.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall
appoint a Director to serve as the head of the Initiative.
``(3) Responsibilities.--The Initiative shall--
``(A) identify, trace, and catalog assets
(including real property, financial accounts, luxury
goods, and investments) held by or attributable to
Islamic Republic of Iran government officials and their
proxies, including those concealed through nominees,
shell companies, family members, or third-country
intermediaries;
``(B) coordinate with the Department of State, and
allied governments to freeze, forfeit, seize, and,
where appropriate and legally permissible, repurpose
illicitly acquired assets for the benefit of the
Iranian people or victims of corruption;
``(C) develop and publish unclassified findings,
reports, and public designations regarding corrupt
practices within the Islamic Republic of Iran regime,
including case studies of asset concealment and
sanctions evasion (consistent with national security
and operational requirements);
``(D) coordinate with Federal, State, and
international law enforcement agencies, including
through joint task forces, to facilitate civil and
criminal prosecutions, asset recoveries, and
extraditions under applicable United States laws,
including chapters 46, 95, and 96 of title 18 and
sanctions statutes; and
``(E) establish protocols for rewarding credible
information leading to successful investigations, asset
forfeitures, or prosecutions, in coordination with
existing rewards programs.
``(4) Interagency coordination.--
``(A) Director.--The Director shall serve as the
primary point of contact for coordination with relevant
Federal agencies and the heads of appropriate Federal
law enforcement agencies and international partners.
``(B) Interagency meetings.--The Director shall
convene regular interagency meetings and share non-
classified threat intelligence on Islamic Republic of
Iran kleptocracy networks.
``(5) Report.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of the enactment of this subsection, and annually
thereafter, the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit
to the appropriate congressional committees a report on
the activities of the Initiative.
``(B) Elements.--Each report required by
subparagraph (A) shall include--
``(i) a summary of investigations
initiated, ongoing, and concluded, including
the number of indictments, convictions, and
asset forfeitures attributable to the
Initiative;
``(ii) an accounting of assets identified,
frozen, seized, or repatriated, including
estimated values;
``(iii) challenges encountered and
recommendations for legislative or
administrative improvements; and
``(iv) metrics on international cooperation
and public impact.
``(C) Form.--Each report shall be submitted in
unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
``(6) Appropriate congressional committees defined.--In
this subsection, the term `appropriate congressional
committees' means--
``(A) the Committee on Financial Services, the
Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence of the House of
Representatives; and
``(B) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the
Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.
``(7) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection
shall be construed to limit the authority of any Federal agency
to investigate or prosecute corruption or racketeering
activities under other provisions of law.''.
SEC. 5. CONGRESSIONAL NOMINATION AUTHORITY.
(a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after receiving a written
request from the chairman or ranking minority member of any of the
appropriate congressional committees regarding whether a foreign person
has engaged in the conduct described in subsection (b), the President
shall--
(1) determine whether the foreign person has engaged in
such conduct; and
(2) submit to such chairman or ranking minority member a
written justification detailing whether the President has
imposed, or intends to impose, sanctions pursuant to the
regulations described in subsection (b)(2) with respect to such
person.
(b) Conduct Described.--The conduct described in this subsection is
knowingly providing material support for the Islamic Republic of Iran
regime's human rights abuses, censorship, or repression of the Iranian
people, including--
(1) selling, supplying, or transferring censorship
technology, surveillance tools, or internet shutdown
capabilities; or
(2) any conduct sanctionable under part 562 of title 31,
Code of Federal Regulations (relating to Iranian Human Rights
Abuses Sanctions Regulations).
(c) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
Armed Services, and the Permanent Select Committee on
Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
Armed Services, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the
Senate.
SEC. 6. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON IRAN BROADCASTING AND HUMAN RIGHTS
ASSISTANCE.
It is the sense of Congress that United States policy should--
(1) promote and provide United States Government and
international broadcasting efforts targeted at providing the
people of Iran with truthful reporting to counter Islamic
Republic of Iran regime censorship;
(2) support independent Iranian journalists, media outlets,
and citizen journalists, including grants for equipment,
training, secure communication platforms, relocation assistance
for those at risk, and capacity-building for Persian-language
media;
(3) coordinate mechanisms with international partners, the
private sector, and diaspora communities to amplify credible
independent media; and
(4) produce annual performance metrics and benchmarks for
audience reach, content impact, and program outcomes.
<all>
Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026
#7622 | HR Congress #119
Policy Area: International Affairs
Subjects:
Last Action: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (2/20/2026)
Bill Text Source: Congress.gov
Summary and Impacts
Original Text