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Congress·In Committee·H.R. 7380

Internet Access: Supporting Freedom in Iran

IRAN Act

about 2 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill, introduced in Congress, aims to help people in Iran stay connected to the internet even when their government tries to shut it down. It puts the Secretary of State in charge of a national strategy to make sure Iranians can access the open web, news, and private messaging apps.
  • The plan would provide $15 million a year in 2027 and 2028 to give Iranian journalists and human rights activists special tools. These include VPNs to hide their activity from the government, encrypted messaging apps, and training on how to avoid being hacked or tracked by the Iranian regime.
  • The bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to make sure satellite internet companies do not intentionally block their signals over Iran. This ensures that even if the Iranian government cuts land-based internet cables, people might still be able to get online using satellite or cell phone technology.
  • To make these tools easier to get, the bill asks the U.S. government to check that trade sanctions don't accidentally stop tech companies from providing helpful software to Iranian civilians. The goal is to make sure regular people have the technology they need to communicate during emergencies without fear of being caught.

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Feb 4, 2026House

Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Feb 4, 2026

Introduced in House

1 Article

news_articleCenter Left

Iranian Internet Goes Dark as US Agencies Clash Over VPN Funding

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

IRAN Act

Bill NumberHR 7380
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(15)
D: 9R: 6

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.