[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 104 (Monday, June 22, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3022-S3024]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 5902. Mr. McCORMICK (for himself and Ms. Rosen) submitted an
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the end of title XII, add the following:
Subtitle F--Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act
of 2026
SEC. 1281. SHORT TITLE.
This subtitle may be cited as the ``Iran Human Rights,
Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026''.
SEC. 1282. 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) 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 Iranian people's right to self-
determination;
(2) to facilitate the immediate expansion of open,
uncensored internet access and civilian lines of
communication for the people of Iran to communicate
domestically and with the outside world;
(3) to support the internationally recognized human
rights of Iranians and 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; and
(5) to work in coordination with its allies and partners
to deter the regime's violence against the Iranian people.
SEC. 1283. IMPROVED COORDINATION OF EFFORTS TO PROMOTE
INTERNET FREEDOM IN IRAN.
(a) Duties of the Secretary of State.--The Secretary of
State is authorized to be the Federal official with the
primary responsibility for--
(1) promoting widespread internet freedom in Iran and
expanding open access to
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independent and impartial information for Iranian citizens;
(2) coordinating all efforts carried out by Federal
departments and agencies that relate the objectives outlined
in paragraph (1); and
(3) serving as the principal official responsible for
updating and carrying out the strategy required under section
5124(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2025 (22 U.S.C. 8754a).
(b) Updates to Comprehensive Strategy to Promote Internet
Freedom and Access to Information in Iran.--
(1) Updates.--Section 5124 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (22 U.S.C. 8754a) is
amended--
(A) in subsection (a)(2), by striking subparagraphs (A)
through (G) and inserting the following new subparagraphs:
``(A) An evaluation of the use of virtual private
networks, centralized networks, peer-to-peer technologies,
and other emerging circumvention tools by civil society and
internationally recognized human rights activists in Iran and
strategies for increasing open access to such networks and
technologies, prioritizing tools with demonstrated
effectiveness, scalability, and acceptable user security
risks in the Iran context.
``(B) An assessment of United States Government efforts
to cultivate and expand viable alternatives to virtual
private networks, peer to peer technology, and other emerging
circumvention tools.
``(C) A breakdown of any limitations or restrictions
facing the development or deployment of United States
Government sponsored virtual private networks, peer to peer
technology, or other emerging circumvention tools to support
internet freedom in Iran.
``(D) An assessment of the ability of the Government of
Iran to cut off all access to the global internet in Iran,
including the primary tools and technology through which they
may be able to do so.'';
(B) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c);
and
(C) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new
subsection:
``(b) Updates.--The Secretary of State 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
5124(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2025 (22 U.S.C. 8754a), as amended 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.
(3) Additional update.--Section 414 of the Iran Threat
Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8754)
is amended--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (11) and (12) as
paragraphs (12) and (13), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (10) the following new
paragraph:
``(11) work with the relevant Federal departments and
agencies to ensure enforcement of sanctions does not impede
companies providing to Iranian civilians the technology and
other tools necessary to access the open internet;''.
SEC. 1284. 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 relevant Federal departments and agencies,
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(c)(5)(A) of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (22
U.S.C. 8754a(c)(5)(A)), as redesignated by section
1283(b)(1)(B), is amended by striking ``each of fiscal years
2025 and 2026'' and inserting ``each fiscal year through
fiscal year 2030''.
(c) Development of Internet Access Technologies.--
(1) In general.--The Department of State, in coordination
with other relevant Federal departments and agencies, is
authorized to utilize existing interagency coordination
mechanisms to the maximum extent practicable, to support the
development of low-cost, easily scalable, and rapidly
deployable technologies to counter internet shutdowns or
limitations on network access in Iran to enable populations
to overcome such restrictions.
(2) Objectives.--In carrying out the responsibilities
under subsection (a), the Department should prioritize the
following objectives:
(A) Identifying and supporting the development of
technologies capable of overcoming internet blackouts and
network disruptions imposed by the Government of the Islamic
Republic of Iran and facilitating open, uncensored internet
and network access, which could include, among other things--
(i) mesh networking solutions; and
(ii) portable and deployable communication systems.
(B) Expanding access to and the effectiveness virtual
private networks (commonly known as ``VPNs'' ), including
by--
(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 uncensored 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.
(D) Ensuring that any technology supported under this
subsection is assessed for user safety, detectability by
hostile governments, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, data
protection, supply-chain risks, sanctions and export-control
compliance, and risk of diversion to the Government of Iran,
the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or sanctioned persons
or entities.
(3) Collaboration.--The Department should collaborate
with relevant Federal agencies 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 acquisition into the
research, development, and deployment processes of
technologies to facilitate open, uncensored internet access;
(B) providing training and educational opportunities on
acquisition principles, regulations, and procedures, with a
focus on technology development for countering censorship and
related restrictions;
(C) fostering dialogue and exchange of knowledge between
acquisition professionals and innovation specialists to
enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of acquisition
related to internet access technologies;
(D) 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; and
(E) ensuring that strategies aimed at the rapid
acquisition and deployment of such technologies account for
the specific challenges presented by the country context,
including logistical barriers to large-scale technology
distribution and security risks to civilians using the
technologies.
(4) Reporting.--The Secretary of State 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) Appropriate congressional committees defined.--In
this subsection, the term ``appropriate congressional
committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
Armed Services, and the Committee on Appropriations of the
Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
Armed Services, and the Committee on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives.
SEC. 1285. STRATEGY ON 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 shall
submit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategy
to expand and enhance United States programs to support the
protection
[[Page S3024]]
and promotion of internationally recognized human rights in
Iran.
(2) Elements of the strategy.--The strategy required
under subsection (a) shall include--
(A) 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 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.
(3) Protection of sensitive information.--The Comptroller
General of the United States shall ensure that the report
required under this subsection does not publicly disclose
personally identifiable information, implementing-partner
identities, sub-grantee identities, operational details,
cybersecurity methods, secure communications channels, or
other information that the Secretary of State determines
could endanger individuals, compromise ongoing programs, or
undermine the national security interests of the United
States. Such information may be provided in a classified
annex or otherwise protected consistent with applicable law.
(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. 1286. 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
should 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 prioritizing VPN
services and other software-based solutions that minimize
physical detection risks, including 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) Metrics.--The Secretary of State shall track and make
available to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate
and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives, in classified form or otherwise protected
form as appropriate, aggregate metrics on the number of
trainees, incident-response cases, and unique users of
supported digital safety tools. Such metrics shall be
aggregated and reported biannually in a manner that protects
user safety, operational security, implementing partners and
the integrity of supported tools and platforms.
(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) Coordination With Existing Programs.--In carrying out
this section, the Secretary of State shall coordinate with
and build upon existing Iran internet freedom programs,
including those established under section 5124 of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (22
U.S.C. 8754a), to avoid duplication and maximize
effectiveness.
SEC. 1287. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this subtitle may be construed as authorizing
the use of military force.
SEC. 1288. SANCTIONS AND EXPORT CONTROL SAVINGS CLAUSE.
Nothing in this subtitle may be construed to authorize
any transaction prohibited by the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act, the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions
Regulations, the Export Control Reform Act of 2018, the
Export Administration Regulations, or any other applicable
sanctions or export-control authority, except pursuant to a
general or specific license, regulatory authorization or
other authorization issued by the relevant agency.
SEC. 1289. DERIVATION OF FUNDS.
Amounts made available to carry out this subtitle shall
be derived from amounts authorized to be appropriated or
otherwise made available to the Department of State.
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