Bill · S. 4749· Senate(119-S-4749)
JAWBONE Act
- Introduced
- 6/11/2026
- Last activity
- 9/16/2026 — Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Sponsored by
- Ted Cruz
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the JAWBONE Act, aims to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prevent government coercion of speech platforms. It creates a federal cause of action to address "jawboning," which is defined as government agencies or employees coercing broadcasters, interactive computer services, or artificial intelligence providers to take specific content actions. The legislation establishes a portal for logging these communications and requires the creation of a public, searchable website to describe them. It also mandates that the National Institute of Standards and Technology develop standards for collecting and transmitting this information. Additionally, the bill provides a legal way for aggrieved parties to sue for damages and establishes a complaint process for providers.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+8
The bill mandates a public, searchable website to track government communications with speech platforms, significantly increasing transparency.
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?+7
The bill provides a mechanism to challenge government coercion of speech platforms, protecting the right to free expression.
Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life?+7
The bill provides significant protections against government coercion of speech platforms, enhancing individual freedom of expression.
The opposite
Does this put more rules on large technology companies?-4
The bill creates new compliance and reporting requirements for technology and AI providers regarding government interactions.
Does this give the federal government more power?-3
The bill imposes new oversight requirements and creates a centralized portal managed by federal agencies.
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?-3
The creation of a new portal for logging government communications could be viewed as an expansion of tracking government-platform interactions.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Free Speech: The bill seeks to prevent government coercion that threatens freedom of speech and open inquiry, particularly for users who may not know how their access to information is being affected (Section 2).
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Legal Recourse for Aggrieved Parties: A person or an information content provider who is aggrieved by a violation of the prohibition on coercion can bring a civil action in a federal district court (Section 3(c)(1)).
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Access to Damages: Individuals bringing a civil action may obtain compensatory damages, as well as the cost of the civil action, including reasonable attorney fees and litigation costs (Section 3(c)(3)(A)).
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Public Transparency: The bill requires the creation of a publicly accessible, searchable website that provides a detailed description and summary of covered communications, including any requests for content actions (Section 5(d)(1)).
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Accountability for Government Officials: The bill establishes a process through which providers can submit complaints regarding alleged violations by government officers or employees, which are then transmitted to Inspectors General and Congressional leadership (Section 5(e)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Limits on Government Communication: The bill notes that not all government communication is coercive and that some interactions are necessary for lawful enforcement or legitimate dialogue; the new restrictions could impact these interactions (Section 2).
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Limitations on Information Access: The bill allows for the redaction of certain information from the public website if it falls under Freedom of Information Act exemptions (Section 5(d)(2)).
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Restrictions on Specific Communications: Certain types of communications, such as those consisting of classified information or relating to child sexual abuse material, are excluded from the requirements of the new portal and transparency rules (Section 4(a)(7)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+8Improves Freedom Of Speech+7Improves Due Process+4Increases Federal Power-3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Freedom Of Speech+7
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+4
- Education And Technology
- Increases Big Tech Regulation-4
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Increases Domestic Surveillance-3
- 9/16/2026
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 6/11/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon