Bill · S. 5288· Senate(119-S-5288)
Protecting Pentagon Press Access Act
- Introduced
- 8/6/2026
- Last activity
- 8/6/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- Sponsored by
- Brian Schatz
- Cosponsors
- - 15 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The bill is called the Protecting Pentagon Press Access Act'' and it aims to restore press access to the Pentagon. It removes restrictions on credentialed journalists that were put in place by Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth in 2025 and 2026. The legislation directs the Secretary of Defense to restore unescorted access to areas of the Pentagon that were accessible on May 22, 2025, including the Correspondents' Corridor.'' It also ensures that the process to issue credentials is handled by career officials without political influence. Finally, it prohibits future changes to press access without consulting the Senate and House Armed Services Committees.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+8
The bill restores press access to increase transparency regarding Department of Defense operations.
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?+7
The bill protects press access which is a core component of freedom of speech and the press.
Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life?+7
The bill restores press access to facilitate more independent reporting and government transparency.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2 and Section 5: These sections restore unescorted access for credentialed journalists to unsecured areas of the Pentagon, including the ``Correspondents' Corridor.'' This is positive because it removes unreasonable restrictions and allows reporters to do accurate and independent reporting on national security and defense policy.
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Section 5: This section requires that security reviews for reporter credentials be handled by career officials in the Pentagon Force Protection Agency without political influence or unnecessary delays. This is positive because it ensures a fair and independent credentialing process free from political interference.
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Section 5: This section prohibits any future changes to press access, workspaces, or credentials without prior consultation with the Senate and House Armed Services Committees. This is positive because it creates accountability and prevents officials from changing the rules on the press without congressional oversight.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- There are no sections or provisions within the bill that create negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
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+7
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Freedom Of Speech+7
- 9/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/17/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/6/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- 13 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Jon OssoffDemocrat · Georgia
Jacky RosenDemocrat · Nevada
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Jeanne ShaheenDemocrat · New Hampshire
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts