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Bill would ban federal pressure on platforms to remove lawful content

In markupS. 4749Latest action

Sponsor: Ted Cruz · Senator · TX

AIDecoded by AI · checked against the record
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Official title: JAWBONE Act

119th Congress

Topics: AI & technology

Introduced:

Read the official bill on Congress.gov

In plain words

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S. 4749 would let companies and states sue the government over illegal "jawboning" pressure on online content decisions.

40-second read · 4 questions answered below

What does this do?

The bill makes it illegal for federal agencies or employees to coerce or threaten social media, AI, or broadcast companies into censoring, altering, or removing lawful speech. It sets factors courts use to judge "coercion" and exempts legitimate law enforcement, warrants, and government use of its own accounts. It also creates lawsuit rights, transparency logs, and a public searchable website for these communications.

Who does it affect?

Federal agencies and employees who communicate with social media, AI, and broadcast companies; those companies, which gain new legal protections; and internet users generally, whose access to content could be affected.

Why does it matter?

The law aims to limit government influence over online speech, but its real-world impact depends on how courts define "coercion" in practice.

AI-drafted summary. Check it against the official text before you act on it.

Read the official bill on Congress.gov

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Where does it stand?

  1. IntroducedJun 11, 2026
  2. Senate committeeYou are here · Sep 16, 2026
  3. Senate vote
  4. House
  5. The president's desk

Right now: a Senate committee is reviewing it. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.

Latest action: — Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Data as of October 9, 2026
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