Bill · S. 867· Senate(119-S-867)
Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 3/5/2025
- Last activity
- 3/5/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Ben Luján
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act of 2025 seeks to amend the Communications Act of 1934. It aims to prevent the Federal Communications Commission from taking action against broadcast licensees or other persons based on their viewpoints. The bill prohibits the Commission from revoking licenses or other authorizations due to disseminated viewpoints. Additionally, it restricts the Commission from placing conditions on certain approvals based on viewpoints. This legislation is intended to protect the independence of the FCC from political pressure.
Yes
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?+8
The bill provides specific protections for broadcast licensees against viewpoint-based censorship and license revocation.
Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life?+8
The bill explicitly prohibits the FCC from taking action or placing conditions on approvals based on the viewpoints disseminated by a person or their affiliates.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The bill aims to protect the FCC's independence from political pressure and undue influence from the President or advisors.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection against license revocation: The Commission is prohibited from revoking licenses or other authorizations based on the viewpoints broadcast or disseminated by a person or their affiliates (Section 3, subsection a).
-
Restrictions on transaction review conditions: The Commission cannot place conditions on specific approvals under section 214 or section 310(d) regarding the viewpoints disseminated by the person seeking approval, their successor, or affiliates (Section 3, subsection b).
-
Preservation of independence: The bill seeks to ensure the FCC can carry out its mission without political pressure, intimidation, or undue influence from the President or presidential advisors (Section 2, findings 3 and 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
No effect on specific legal violations: The protections against viewpoint-based action do not prevent the Commission from taking action regarding violations of section 1304 of title 18, section 1343 of title 18, or section 1464 of title 18 (Section 3, subsection c).
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No effect on incitement: The bill does not affect the Commission's authority to take action against the broadcast or dissemination of content that constitutes incitement under the First Amendment (Section 3, subsection c).
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 Freedom Of Speech+8Improves Government Transparency+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Freedom Of Speech+8
- 3/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/4/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/6/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/5/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2 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.
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Jacky RosenDemocrat · Nevada
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland