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119-s-867119th Congress

Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

Introduced

Summary

Protects broadcasters from FCC actions based on their viewpoints. This bill would bar the Federal Communications Commission from revoking licenses or imposing viewpoint-based conditions on approvals or transactions, while keeping authority to act for certain crimes and for speech that meets the constitutional test for incitement.

Show full summary
  • Broadcasters and license holders: Would be shielded from license revocation or other FCC penalties that are tied to opinions broadcast by the licensee or its affiliates.
  • Buyers and sellers in station sales or transfers: The FCC could not attach conditions to approvals under key communications statutes based on the viewpoints of any party or affiliate.
  • Enforcement staff and prosecutors: The bill preserves FCC authority to act for violations tied to lotteries, fraud, and obscene language and to address content that legally qualifies as incitement.
  • Agency independence and political pressure: Findings stress FCC independence and aim to block investigations or threats used to intimidate licensees into following outside political agendas.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Protect broadcasters from viewpoint penalties

If enacted, the bill would bar the FCC from revoking a broadcast license or taking other action because of a person’s broadcast viewpoints. It would stop the FCC from adding viewpoint-based conditions when approving transfers or authorizations. The ban would cover applicants, successors, and affiliated persons. It would not stop the FCC from acting for violations of 18 U.S.C. 1304, 1343, or 1464 or for speech that rises to incitement.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

NM • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 3/5/2025

  • Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 3/5/2025

  • Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 12/4/2025

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 3/10/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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