# 119-hr-1880: Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act of 2025

119-hr-1880, Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act of 2025, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7] (D-CA); status introduced (as of 2026-04-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1880
- As of: 2026-04-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-1880
- Congress: 119
- Title: Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act of 2025
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-03-05
- Sponsor: Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7] (D-CA)
- Cosponsors: 13
- Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-04-21

## Summary

**This bill would create a new _viewpoint protection_ that bars the FCC from revoking licenses or imposing conditions based on the viewpoints a broadcaster or its affiliates express.** It would add Section 14 to Title I of the Communications Act to limit FCC actions tied to broadcast viewpoints while keeping some enforcement powers intact. - Broadcasters and licensees would gain a legal shield against FCC actions taken because of the viewpoints they or affiliated parties broadcast. This protection is spelled out as a new Section 14. - The FCC would be restricted from placing viewpoint-based conditions on approvals under section 214 and section 310(d), affecting transfer and authorization reviews. - The bill preserves FCC authority to act for violations of specific criminal statutes (for example, 18 U.S.C. 1304, 1343, 1464) and to address content that meets First Amendment incitement standards. - The Findings emphasize protecting FCC independence and say investigations or threats must not be used to pressure licensees or suppress viewpoints.

## Cosponsors (13)

- Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44] (D-CA), 2025-03-05T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4] (D-VA), 2025-03-05T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10] (D-NY), 2025-03-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9] (D-FL), 2025-03-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] (D-DC), 2025-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8] (D-NJ), 2025-04-28T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6] (D-MD), 2025-07-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3] (D-AZ), 2025-09-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10] (D-VA), 2025-10-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6] (D-OR), 2025-12-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1] (D-NV), 2025-12-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28] (D-CA), 2025-12-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12] (D-MI), 2026-01-27T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Broadcast and telecom owners shielded from viewpoint-based FCC actions: benefit, high. If enacted, the FCC would be barred from revoking licenses, denying approvals, or taking action because of the viewpoints someone airs or shares. The FCC also could not put viewpoint-based conditions on approvals under sections 214(a)-(c) or 310(d) for applicants, transferees, successors, or affili…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act
- 119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act
- 119-hr-7853: PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026
- 119-hr-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act
- 119-hr-20: Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-hr-1880 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1880)

## Related
- [119-hr-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9877)
- [119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7973)
- [119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7977)
- [119-hr-7853: PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7853)
- [119-hr-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-51)
- [119-hr-20: Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-20)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1880 (as of 2026-04-21).