House BillHR 6469Aviation and airportsSpacecraft and satellites
FREEDOM Act
INTRO DEC 4· LAST ACTION DEC 4
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
37BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it addresses a critical issue of human rights and freedom of information in Iran, where internet access is often heavily restricted and censored by the government. If this bill becomes law, it means the U.S. government will dedicate resources to understanding the current state of internet freedom in Iran and exploring potential technological solutions to empower its citizens.
By requiring a detailed report, the bill could lay the groundwork for future U.S. foreign policy strategies or aid initiatives aimed at supporting open communication for the Iranian people. If it doesn't become law, this specific study and assessment of direct-to-cell technologies and the Iranian telecom landscape might not happen, potentially leaving Congress less informed about viable options to address internet censorship in Iran.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
The Secretary of State must create an updated report on internet freedom in Iran within 120 days after the bill becomes law.
This initiates a focused government effort to gather current intelligence and analysis on a pressing human rights issue.
PROVISION 02
The report must assess the practical use of direct-to-cell wireless technologies to expand internet access in Iran, including technical and security aspects.
This provision directs the government to explore cutting-edge solutions for bypassing censorship and providing open internet access.
PROVISION 03
The report must analyze how technologies like drone platforms and signal jamming could affect these direct-to-cell communications.
This ensures the report considers potential obstacles and countermeasures to proposed internet freedom solutions, making the assessment more realistic.
PROVISION 04
The report must survey existing terrestrial and non-terrestrial telecommunications providers in Iran, looking at their ownership and impact on communications freedom.
Understanding the current landscape of internet service providers and their control is crucial for developing effective strategies to counter censorship.
This bill matters because it addresses a critical issue of human rights and freedom of information in Iran, where internet access is often heavily restricted and censored by the government. If this bill becomes law, it means the U.S. government will dedicate resources to understanding the current state of internet freedom in Iran and exploring potential technological solutions to empower its citizens.
By requiring a detailed report, the bill could lay the groundwork for future U.S. foreign policy strategies or aid initiatives aimed at supporting open communication for the Iranian people. If it doesn't become law, this specific study and assessment of direct-to-cell technologies and the Iranian telecom landscape might not happen, potentially leaving Congress less informed about viable options to address internet censorship in Iran.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
The Secretary of State must create an updated report on internet freedom in Iran within 120 days after the bill becomes law.
This initiates a focused government effort to gather current intelligence and analysis on a pressing human rights issue.
high
The report must assess the practical use of direct-to-cell wireless technologies to expand internet access in Iran, including technical and security aspects.
This provision directs the government to explore cutting-edge solutions for bypassing censorship and providing open internet access.
med
The report must analyze how technologies like drone platforms and signal jamming could affect these direct-to-cell communications.
This ensures the report considers potential obstacles and countermeasures to proposed internet freedom solutions, making the assessment more realistic.
med
The report must survey existing terrestrial and non-terrestrial telecommunications providers in Iran, looking at their ownership and impact on communications freedom.
Understanding the current landscape of internet service providers and their control is crucial for developing effective strategies to counter censorship.
Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of the Act
Secretary of State must submit the report on internet freedom in Iran.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Enactment
The process by which a bill officially becomes a law after being passed by both houses of Congress and signed by the President, or otherwise becoming law without the President's signature.
Secretary of State
The head of the U.S. Department of State, responsible for the country's foreign policy and international relations.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
An independent U.S. government agency that regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable.
Methods that allow wireless signals (like satellite internet) to be transmitted directly to standard mobile phones without needing special equipment or local infrastructure.
Terrestrial telecommunications
Communication systems that transmit signals over land, typically through cables (fiber optic, copper) or land-based wireless towers.
Non-terrestrial telecommunications
Communication systems that transmit signals using non-land-based means, such as satellites or high-altitude platforms.
Classified annex
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
DEC 4, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
DEC 4, 25
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
A separate, confidential section of a document that contains sensitive information restricted to authorized personnel, often due to national security concerns.
Assessment
An evaluation or judgment of the nature, quality, or ability of something.
