HR 5704 — Repeal the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2013

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in House Current html October 08, 2025

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill repeals the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2013 and restricts the domestic dissemination of materials produced by the U.S. Government for foreign audiences.

• 22 U.S.C. 1461

  The Secretary and the Broadcasting Board of Governors are authorized to use funds appropriated or otherwise made available for public diplomacy information programs to provide for the preparation, dissemination, and use of information intended for foreign audiences abroad about the United States, its people, and its policies, through press, publications, radio, motion pictures, the Internet, and other information media, including social media, and through information centers, instructors, and other direct or indirect means of communication. → The Secretary of State and the Chief Executive Officer of the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) are authorized to provide for the preparation and dissemination abroad of information about the United States, its people, and its policies, through press, publications, radio, motion pictures, the internet, and other information media, and through information centers and instructors abroad, except that such dissemination may not include the use of social media accounts, websites, or podcasts other than official platforms maintained by the Department of State or USAGM for purposes of foreign dissemination.

  This change limits the dissemination of information about the U.S. by restricting the use of social media and updates the responsible authority from the Broadcasting Board of Governors to the CEO of USAGM.

• 22 U.S.C. 1461

  Nothing in this section may be construed to require the Secretary or the Broadcasting Board of Governors to make material disseminated abroad available in any format other than in the format disseminated abroad. → Nothing in this section may be construed to require the Secretary of State or the Chief Executive Officer of the United States Agency for Global Media to make material disseminated abroad available in any format other than in the format disseminated abroad.

  This change makes the language consistent with the new title and authority under USAGM while maintaining the same restriction on format.

• 22 U.S.C. 1461

  the Secretary and the Broadcasting Board of Governors may, upon request and reimbursement of the reasonable costs incurred in fulfilling such a request, make available, in the United States, motion pictures, films, video, audio, and other materials disseminated abroad pursuant to this chapter, the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.), the Radio Broadcasting to Cuba Act (22 U.S.C. 1465 et seq.), or the Television Broadcasting to Cuba Act (22 U.S.C. 1465aa et seq.). → Any materials produced under subsection (a) shall, upon request, be made available in the English language, at all reasonable times following their release abroad, for examination at the Department of State or the United States Agency for Global Media, as appropriate, by representatives of United States press associations, newspapers, magazines, radio systems, and stations, and by Members of Congress. Except as provided in subsection (c), such materials may not be disseminated within the United States, except that Members of Congress may use such materials in the exercise of their official oversight functions.

  This change prohibits the general domestic dissemination of materials and restricts access to them for specific entities and purposes.

• 22 U.S.C. 1461

  The Secretary and the Broadcasting Board of Governors shall issue necessary regulations— → The Archivist shall promulgate regulations to--

  This transfer of regulation responsibility from the Secretary and the Broadcasting Board of Governors to the Archivist changes who oversees the rules regarding the examination and release of materials.

• 22 U.S.C. 1461

  Any reimbursement pursuant to this paragraph shall be credited to the applicable appropriation account of the Department of State or the Broadcasting Board of Governors, as appropriate. → Any person seeking such release-- has secured all necessary United States rights and licenses; and has paid a fee, in accordance with section 2116(c) of title 44, United States Code, sufficient to cover the costs incurred by the Archivist in providing such materials.

  This updates the requirement for individuals seeking access to the materials to secure rights and pay fees to cover costs, thus changing the nature of financial responsibility.

Action History

1. October 08, 2025

   Introduced in House

2. October 08, 2025

   Introduced in House

3. October 08, 2025

   Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Sponsors

• Thomas Massie · Primary
• Scott Perry · Cosponsor
• Marjorie Taylor Greene · Cosponsor
• Eric Burlison · Cosponsor
• Mark Harris · Cosponsor
• Chip Roy · Cosponsor
• Elijah Crane · Cosponsor
• Tony Wied · Cosponsor
• Anna Paulina Luna · Cosponsor
• Paul A. Gosar · Cosponsor
• David Rouzer · Cosponsor

Subjects