Bill · S.Res. 152· Senate(119-SRES-152)
A resolution designating April 2025 as "Preserving and Protecting Local News Month" and recognizing the importance and significance of local news.
- Introduced
- 4/1/2025
- Last activity
- 4/1/2025 — Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S2098-2099)
- Sponsored by
- Brian Schatz
- Cosponsors
- - 14 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
A Senate resolution is the Senate speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the Senate agrees to it, it is officially the Senate's word; it is not a law, so the House and the President have no part in it.
What this bill would do
This Senate resolution designates April 2025 as "Preserving and Protecting Local News Month." The measure recognizes local news as a public good that serves an essential function in United States democracy. It aims to highlight the importance of local news in maintaining healthy and vibrant communities. The text provides context regarding the significant decline of local news outlets and journalism jobs across the country. It also notes the impact of these closures on various communities and the necessity of local reporting for an informed citizenry.
Yes· 3 of 14
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+1
The resolution notes that news deserts disproportionately impact high-poverty areas.
Would Black Americans be better off under this?+1
The resolution highlights how the loss of news disproportionately affects Black constituencies.
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+1
The resolution notes the dramatic shrinkage of media sources for Native American readers.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Civic Engagement and Democracy: The resolution affirms that local news is a public good that helps sustain democratic norms and practices (Resolution clauses 2 and 3).
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Informed Citizenry: Local news provides vital information regarding national, State, and local elections, which helps citizens execute their civic responsibilities (Whereas clauses).
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Accountability: Local news and investigative reporting help ensure that local government corruption and corporate malfeasance are checked (Whereas clauses).
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Combatting Misinformation: Local journalists use community knowledge and connections to help debunk misleading or fraudulent content (Whereas clauses).
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Public Access Information: Local cable franchises provide programming that informs communities and offers news and information that may not be available on other broadcast or cable channels (Whereas clauses).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are identified in the text: The provided resolution is a ceremonial designation and an affirmation of the value of local news; it does not establish new laws, taxes, or regulations that would impose burdens on individuals or groups.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For African Americans+1Good For Low Income Households+1Good For Native Americans+1Good For Rural Residents+1Good For Students+1Good For Women+1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Freedom Of Speech+1Improves Gender Equality+1Improves Racial Equity+1Improves Voting Rights+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Electoral Process+1Improves Freedom Of Speech+1Improves Government Transparency+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+1
- 4/1/2025
- Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S2098-2099)
- 15 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Michael BennetDemocrat · Colorado
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Maria CantwellDemocrat · Washington
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Mark WarnerDemocrat · Virginia