News-JAWBONE-Act-AI-Government-Jawboning-2026
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Cruz and Wyden introduce JAWBONE Act covering social media, AI, and broadcasters
U.S. Senators Ted Cruz and Ron Wyden introduced the JAWBONE Act on June 11, 2026, as a bipartisan bill aimed at limiting federal officials' ability to pressure social-media companies, AI developers, and broadcasters to suppress or disfavor constitutionally protected speech.[1]
The Senate Commerce Committee release says the bill would prohibit federal employees from using official authority, threats, or inducements to coerce covered intermediaries into censoring lawful speech.[1] It also says the bill would create a private right of action and require federal agencies to report communications with covered platforms, giving affected speakers and intermediaries a transparency and enforcement mechanism.[1]
The Knight First Amendment Institute endorsed the bill, saying it would help deter improper government jawboning while preserving lawful government speech and persuasion.[2]
The development is significant for AI law because the bill expressly includes AI developers alongside social-media companies and broadcasters in a federal speech-governance framework, connecting AI-system operators to the post-Murthy v. Missouri debate over government pressure, platform moderation, and First Amendment limits.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, "Cruz, Wyden Introduce Legislation to Guard First Amendment Speech Rights Against Government Jawboning" (June 11, 2026)
- ↑ Knight First Amendment Institute, "Knight Institute Endorses Bipartisan Bill to Protect Against Government Jawboning" (June 11, 2026)