[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3900 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 3900
To promote human rights, internet freedom and accountability in Iran,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 24, 2026
Mr. McCormick (for himself and Ms. Rosen) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign
Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To promote human rights, internet freedom and accountability in Iran,
and for other purposes.
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; STATEMENT OF POLICY.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) For nearly five decades, the people of Iran have
endured brutal repression under the Government of the Islamic
Republic of Iran, a regime that denies basic human rights,
silences dissidents, and responds to peaceful protest with
violence.
(2) The people of Iran have repeatedly and courageously
taken to the streets to demand economic opportunity, human
rights, dignity, and freedom.
(3) During the 2026 protests, the Government of the Islamic
Republic of Iran responded with brutality by reportedly killing
tens of thousands of people and wounding thousands more,
arresting tens of thousands, and restricting internet access
and telephone lines.
(4) The people of Iran are protesting the Iranian regime's
economic mismanagement, corruption, internal suppression, and
unjust executions.
(5) Access to free expression, open information, and
uncensored communication are fundamental human rights and
critical to the survival of the Iranian protestors.
(6) Thanks in part to United States-funded efforts to
support human rights and open internet access, the Iranian
people are consistently found to be one of the most pro-
American populations in the Middle East.
(7) The inspiring 2022 Women, Life, Freedom protests
demanded an end to the Islamic Republic and its violence,
particularly against Iranian women and ethnic minorities.
(8) The barbaric so-called ``morality police'' and other
arms of state suppression have a lengthy history of repressing
the Iranian people's fundamental freedoms.
(9) The Iranian regime has engaged in systematic efforts to
intimidate, harass, detain, and harm political dissidents,
activists, and journalists both within Iran and beyond its
borders.
(10) The people of Iran deserve the right to dignity,
democracy, and self-determination and to be free from the
brutality of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
(b) Statement of Policy.--It shall be the policy of the United
States--
(1) to recognize the right of the Iranian people to freely
determine, through free and fair elections, the future
leadership of their country;
(2) to facilitate the immediate expansion of unrestricted
internet access and civilian lines of communication across
Iran;
(3) to support the internationally recognized human rights
of Iranians and United States programs to assist Iranian civil
society, including in their credible documentation, reporting,
and accountability efforts of abuses in Iran;
(4) to fully enforce sanctions against regime violators of
internationally recognized human rights 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
(5) to work in coordination with its allies to consider
appropriate measures to deter further lethal violence against
protesters.
SEC. 3. IMPROVED COORDINATION OF EFFORTS TO PROMOTE INTERNET FREEDOM IN
IRAN.
(a) Duties of the Secretary of State.--The Secretary of State shall
be the Federal official with the primary responsibility for--
(1) promoting widespread internet freedom in Iran and
expanding access to information for Iranian citizens;
(2) coordinating all efforts carried out by Federal
departments and agencies that relate to digital freedom
initiatives in Iran; and
(3) serving as the principal official responsible for
updating and carrying out the strategy required under section
414 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of
2012 (22 U.S.C. 8754).
(b) Updates to Comprehensive Strategy To Promote Internet Freedom
and Access to Information in Iran.--
(1) Updates.--Section 414 of the Iran Threat Reduction and
Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8754) is amended--
(A) by striking ``Not later than'' and inserting
``(A) Initial Strategy.--Not later than'';
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (11) and (12) as
paragraphs (14) and (15), respectively;
(C) by inserting after paragraph (10) the following
new paragraphs:
``(11) evaluate the use of virtual private networks and
direct-to-cell satellite technologies by civil society and
internationally recognized human rights activists in Iran and
develop strategies for increasing the accessibility of such
networks and technologies;
``(12) work with the Department of the Treasury and the
Department of Commerce to ensure enforcement of sanctions does
not impede companies providing to Iranian civilians the
technology and other tools necessary to access the open
internet;
``(13) assess the ability of the Iranian regime to cut off
all access to the internet and develop a strategy to circumvent
internet blackouts for Iranian civil society;''; and
(D) by adding at the end of the following new
subsection:
``(b) Updates.--The Secretary of State, in consultation with the
Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, and the heads of
other Federal departments and agencies as appropriate, shall review the
strategy under subsection (a) on an ongoing basis and update the
strategy as appropriate, taking into account the results of such
review.''.
(2) Submission of first updates.--
(A) Submission.--Not later than 120 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
State shall--
(i) review and update the strategy pursuant
to section 414(b) of the Iran Threat Reduction
and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 (22 U.S.C.
8754), as added by paragraph (1); and
(ii) submit such updated strategy to the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate
and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the
House of Representatives.
(B) Form.--The strategy under subparagraph (A)
shall be submitted in an unclassified form, but may
include a classified annex.
SEC. 4. INTERNET FREEDOM AND CENSORSHIP CIRCUMVENTION.
(a) Internet Freedom Report.--
(1) In general.--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 Relations of the Senate and the Committee
on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a report
that updates and supplements the report required under section
5124 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2025 (Public Law 118-159).
(2) Additional matters to be included.--Updates to the
strategy required in section 5124 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (22 U.S.C. 8754a) shall
also include the following:
(A) 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.
(B) 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.
(C) 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.
(3) Form.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall be
submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified
annex.
(b) Extension and Increase of Authorization for Iran Internet
Freedom Grant Program.--Section 5124(b)(5)(A) of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (22 U.S.C. 8754a(b)(5)(A)) is
amended by inserting ``and not less than $20,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2027 through 2030'' after ``$15,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2025 and 2026''.
(c) Development of Internet Access Technologies.--
(1) In general.--The Department of State, in coordination
with the Department of Defense, the United States Agency for
Global Media, and other relevant Federal departments and
agencies, shall form a joint working group (referred to as the
``Working Group'') to support the development of low-cost,
easily scalable, and rapidly deployable technologies to counter
internet shutdowns or limitations on network access abroad,
particularly those imposed by adversary countries, to enable
populations to overcome such restrictions.
(2) Objectives.--In carrying out the responsibilities under
subsection (a), the Working Group shall prioritize the
following objectives:
(A) Identifying and supporting the development of
technologies capable of overcoming internet blackouts
and network disruptions imposed by an adversary country
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 (commonly known as
``VPNs''), including--
(i) collaborating with industry, academia,
and relevant stakeholders to accelerate the
research, development, and deployment of such
technologies;
(ii) conducting pilot programs and field
experiments to test the effectiveness and
scalability of developed solutions in real-
world settings; and
(iii) providing technical assistance and
resources to partner organizations,
governments, and nongovernmental entities
engaged in efforts to expand internet access.
(C) Identifying and evaluating off-the-shelf
technologies that could be rapidly procured and
deployed to address internet access challenges in
targeted regions.
(3) Collaboration with the federal acquisition institute.--
The Working Group shall collaborate with the Federal
Acquisition Institute to leverage expertise in acquisition
processes and practices related to carrying out the objectives
under paragraph (2) with the aim of--
(A) integrating best practices in defense
acquisition into the research, development, and
deployment processes of technologies developed by the
Working Group to facilitate internet access;
(B) ensuring that technologies developed by the
Working Group align with acquisition priorities and
strategies of the Department of State and the
Department of Defense;
(C) providing training and educational
opportunities for the Working Group on acquisition
principles, regulations, and procedures, with a focus
on technology development for countering censorship and
related restrictions;
(D) fostering dialogue and exchange of knowledge
between acquisition professionals and innovation
specialists to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency
of defense technology acquisition related to internet
access technologies; and
(E) collaborating on the development of acquisition
strategies that prioritize the rapid acquisition and
deployment of technologies aimed at countering
censorship and restrictions on internet access.
(4) Reporting.--The Secretary of State, in coordination
with the Secretary of Defense and the United States Agency for
Global Media, shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees an annual report detailing the progress, challenges,
and outcomes of the efforts undertaken pursuant to this
section.
(5) Authorization of appropriations.--There is hereby
authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for
each fiscal year 2027 through 2030 to carry out the activities
described in this subsection.
(6) Appropriate congressional committees defined.--In this
subsection, the term ``appropriate congressional committees''
means--
(A) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee
on Foreign Relations, and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee
on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations
of the House of Representatives.
SEC. 5. IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS SUPPORTING HUMAN RIGHTS
VIOLATIONS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after receiving a written
request from the chairman or ranking 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 imposed
the sanctions described in subsection (c) with respect to such
person.
(b) Conduct Described.--The conduct described in this subsection is
knowingly providing material support for the Iranian regime's abuses of
internationally recognized human rights, censorship, or repression of
the Iranian people, including--
(1) selling, supplying, or transferring censorship
technology, surveillance tools, or internet shutdown
capabilities;
(2) any conduct sanctionable under part 562 of title 31,
Code of Federal Regulations (Iranian Human Rights Abuses
Sanctions Regulations); or
(3) any conduct sanctionable under the Global Magnitsky
Human Rights Accountability Act (22 U.S.C. 10101 et seq.).
(c) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
Armed Services, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the
Senate; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
Armed Services, and the Permanent Select Committee on
Intelligence of the House of Representatives.
SEC. 6. STRATEGY ON IRAN BROADCASTING AND HUMAN RIGHTS ASSISTANCE.
(a) Strategy Required.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
coordination with the Chief Executive Officer of the United
States Agency for Global Media, shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a strategy to expand and enhance
United States and international broadcasting efforts and United
States programs to support the protection and promotion of
internationally recognized human rights in Iran.
(2) Elements of the strategy.--The strategy required under
subsection (a) shall include--
(A) a comprehensive review and assessment of
current United States Government and international
broadcasting efforts targeted at Iran, including Voice
of America Persian Service, Radio Farda, and other
relevant programs, including their reach,
effectiveness, and vulnerabilities to Iranian regime
censorship, as well as United States Government efforts
to support internationally recognized human rights and
democratic civil society, including efforts to assist
in the credible documentation of abuses of
internationally recognized human rights;
(B) specific plans and initiatives to ensure the
Iranian people have reliable access to accurate,
uncensored, and unbiased news coverage, including
through satellite broadcasting, digital circumvention
tools, shortwave radio, and emerging technologies;
(C) programs to support independent Iranian
journalists, media outlets, and citizen journalists,
including grants for equipment, training, secure
communication platforms, and capacity-building for
Persian and other local language media;
(D) programs to support and train Iranian civil
society;
(E) coordination mechanisms with international
partners, the private sector, and diaspora communities
to amplify credible independent media;
(F) annual performance metrics and benchmarks for
audience reach, content impact, and program outcomes;
and
(G) a multi-year budget and resource requirements
plan to implement the strategy.
(3) Form.--The strategy required in subsection (a) shall be
transmitted in an unclassified form and may contain a
classified annex.
(b) GAO Report on Near East Regional Democracy (NERD)
Expenditures.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a report examining Federal expenditures under the
Near East Regional Democracy (NERD) account over fiscal years
2024 and 2025.
(2) Matters included.--The report shall include--
(A) a detailed accounting of all NERD funds
obligated and expended for Iran-related programs,
including broadcasting, media support, civil society
assistance, and human rights initiatives;
(B) an assessment of the processes used for grant
allocation, contractor oversight, vetting of
recipients, and measuring program outcomes;
(C) an evaluation of the effectiveness of such
programs in advancing United States policy objectives,
including expanding information access and supporting
independent media within Iran; and
(D) recommendations for improving transparency,
accountability, and impact measurement.
(c) Form.--The strategy and the GAO report required under this
section shall each be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a
classified annex.
(d) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
Armed Services, the Select Committee on Intelligence, and the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
Armed Services, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence,
and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
SEC. 7. CYBERSECURITY CAPACITY FOR CIVIL SOCIETY IN IRAN.
(a) Training and Tools.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall establish
programs--
(1) to deliver remote or in-person cybersecurity training
to journalists, defenders of internationally recognized human
rights, and civil-society actors in Iran;
(2) to furnish vetted open-source or commercially available
digital-safety tools, including VPN services and end-to-end
encrypted messaging applications; and
(3) to provide multilingual educational materials that warn
Iranian users about regime-controlled applications and phishing
campaigns.
(b) Reporting and Evaluation.--
(1) Quarterly metrics.--The Secretary of State shall track
and, on a quarterly basis, make available to the Committee on
Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign
Affairs of the House of Representatives aggregate metrics on
the number of trainees, incident-response cases, and unique
users of supported digital safety tools.
(2) Independent evaluation.--Not later than 3 years after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General
of the United States shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees an evaluation of the effectiveness of
the program carried out under this section.
(c) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section may be construed to
supersede or limit existing authority under section 404 of the Iran
Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8754) or
any other provision of law related to internet freedom programming in
Iran.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is hereby authorized to
be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years
2027 through 2030 to carry out the activities described in this
section.
SEC. 8. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this Act may be construed as authorizing the use of
military force.
<all>
Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026
#3900 | S Congress #119
Policy Area: International Affairs
Subjects:
Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (2/24/2026)
Bill Text Source: Congress.gov
Summary and Impacts
Original Text