Rosen-Backed Bipartisan Bill to Expand Internet Access for Iranian Civilians and Combat Iran’s Human Rights Abuses Advances in Committee

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen's (D-NV) bipartisan Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act recently advanced out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. This bipartisan bill she led with Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) will increase pressure on Iran after the regime instituted their most extreme internet lockdown in history and killed thousands of its own citizens during mass protests throughout the country earlier this year.

The legislation takes a coordinated approach to confronting the regime's repression, targeting four key areas: expanding internet access for Iranian civilians amid regime blackouts and repression; identifying and enforcing sanctions on human rights abusers and their enablers; broadening U.S. broadcasting and human rights programming; and strengthening cybersecurity tools for Iranian journalists, human rights activists, and civil society.

"As the Iranian people continue to face internet blackouts and human rights abuses by the regime, it is imperative that we expand and grow bipartisan U.S. programs to support the Iranian people," said Senator Rosen. "I'm proud that this bipartisan bill has advanced out of committee and is one step closer to becoming law. I will continue fighting on behalf of the Iranian people in their struggle for democracy."

Senator Rosen has been a steadfast advocate for countering threats from Iran's authoritarian regime and their terrorist proxies, such as the Houthis, Hezbollah, and Hamas. In June, she introduced a bipartisan bill to develop a Middle East air and missile defense acquisition strategy to deter and defend against Iranian attacks. Senator Rosen has also led bipartisan efforts to freeze Iranian assets, tighten oil sanctions, advance internet freedom for Iranian civilians, designate the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization, and hold them accountable for possible human rights violations. Senator Rosen continues to support strong U.S. foreign policy priorities focused on safeguarding global stability.

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