United States 118th Congress Status: In Committee 1 D cosponsors

HR 8309 — Global Internet Freedom Act

Last action — Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 118th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

To amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide for the inclusion of additional information relating to internet freedom in Annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

4 changes Share ↗

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

The bill adds requirements for reporting on internet freedom and associated human rights violations in relation to foreign assistance programs.

  • 22 U.S.C. 2151n(d)

    the period at the end → ; and

    This change allows for the addition of new reporting requirements.

  • 22 U.S.C. 2151n(d)

    (12) wherever applicable, the extent to which-- (A) state or non-state actors create deliberate barriers to access to the internet, including by shutting down connectivity or blocking online content that is protected by international human rights standards; and (B) the government engages in undue restrictions on free expression and violations of privacy as they occur online, or legal and extralegal repercussions for online speech or activities that are protected by international human rights standards.

    This addition requires the inclusion of information about internet access barriers and restrictions on free expression in reports on human rights practices.

  • 22 U.S.C. 2304

    (k) The report required by subsection (b) shall include, wherever applicable a description of the extent to which-- (1) state or non-state actors create deliberate barriers to access to the internet, including by shutting down connectivity or blocking online content that is protected by international human rights standards; and (2) the government engages in undue restrictions on free expression and violations of privacy as they occur online, or legal and extralegal repercussions for online speech or activities that are protected by international human rights standards.

    This insertion mandates that the Secretary of State's report also covers internet freedom and its implications for human rights.

  • 22 U.S.C. 2304

    (j) The report required by subsection (b) shall include a description of the extent to which--

    This establishes a new reporting subsection for further detailing violations concerning internet access and free expression.

Action History

  1. Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

  2. Introduced in House

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (546)

546 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 546 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

civil-rights technology
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does HR 8309 do?
To amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide for the inclusion of additional information relating to internet freedom in Annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.
Who sponsors HR 8309?
HR 8309 is sponsored by Jacobs, Sara (Democratic).
What is the current status of HR 8309?
This bill died with 118th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HR 8309?
Track HR 8309 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on HR 8309

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of HR 8309

Last checked for changes 2 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →