JAWBONE Act
Sponsored By: Senator Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
In Committee
Summary
Blocks federal coercion of platforms and AI providers. This bill would bar agencies and officials from coercing broadcasters, interactive computer services, or AI system providers to take content actions and would create a federal private right of action to sue for relief.
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- Platforms, AI providers, and broadcasters would gain a new federal cause of action to sue agencies or officials for coercion. Courts could award compensatory damages, attorney fees, and equitable relief, but not punitive damages.
- Agencies would have to log and transmit "covered communications" to an OSTP-run public portal under new NIST standards. NIST must issue standards within 1 year and agencies must report new or previously unreported communications at least every 120 days.
- Federal employees sued may elect Department of Justice representation and the United States would indemnify verdicts or settlements except where a court finds willful and wanton conduct. State attorneys general could sue on behalf of residents as parens patriae.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Ban on federal pressure, private suits
If enacted, the bill would make it unlawful for federal agencies or their employees to coerce broadcasters, online platforms, or AI providers to add, remove, or change content or how content is presented. The agency or employee would have to prove any exception, like a lawful investigation or a court warrant. Anyone harmed could sue in federal court for compensatory damages and attorney fees, though punitive damages would be banned. Individual defendants could request DOJ representation and the federal government would generally pay awards unless a court finds willful and wanton conduct.
Public portal for agency communications
If enacted, OSTP would set up a central public portal to log covered communications from federal officials to broadcasters, online platforms, and AI providers. NIST would have to issue technical standards within one year and review them at least every two years. Agencies would have to send new or previously unreported covered communications to the portal at least every 120 days. The portal would accept complaints; OSTP must send valid complaints within 15 days to the agency Inspector General and to key congressional leaders. OSTP must post searchable descriptions (with FOIA redactions noted) and provide unredacted records to designated committee leaders at least once per fiscal year. Agency Inspectors General must audit compliance at least every two years and report findings within 7 days of finishing an audit.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
TX • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 6/11/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov