Accountability for Government Censorship Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10]
- Committees
- Oversight and Government Reform Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jun 3, 2026
Bottom line
The bill seeks to increase transparency and accountability regarding federal government interactions with online platforms concerning content moderation, aiming to reveal and deter perceived government censorship of lawful speech.
What it actually does
This bill mandates that all federal agencies report to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) any communications over the past five years with non-federal online platforms aimed at removing, suppressing, or adding disclaimers to lawful speech, or restricting access to platforms. OMB must then compile these reports into a consolidated, largely unclassified report for Congress, and agency Inspectors General must review compliance.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue this bill is essential for protecting free speech by exposing and preventing government overreach in online content moderation. They contend that citizens have a right to know the extent to which federal agencies influence what is seen or suppressed on private platforms, ensuring accountability for potential censorship and upholding First Amendment principles.
Opponents contend
Opponents might argue that the bill could create an excessive administrative burden on federal agencies, potentially chilling legitimate and necessary communications between government and platforms regarding harmful content such as foreign disinformation, child exploitation, or public health misinformation. They may also contend that the bill's broad scope could mischaracterize routine or essential government interactions as 'censorship.'
The bill is very short and clearly written, making it highly accessible for a reader to understand its core requirements within minutes.
Section 2(a)
Agency Report to OMB on Communications with Platforms
Each federal agency is required to submit a report to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) within 90 days of the Act's enactment. This report must list every instance over the preceding five years where an agency officer or employee communicated with a non-federal online platform (like social media) for the purpose of removing, suppressing, adding disclaimers to, or restricting access to lawful speech.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this provision is crucial for transparency, revealing the extent of government involvement in online content moderation and ensuring accountability for potential censorship of lawful speech. It provides a necessary historical record for public and congressional oversight.
Critics contend
Critics might argue this provision could create an excessive administrative burden on agencies, potentially chilling legitimate and necessary communications between government and platforms regarding harmful content, such as foreign disinformation, child exploitation, or public health misinformation.
Tradeoffs
This provision balances the public's right to know about government actions with the potential for legitimate government communications with platforms to be misconstrued or deterred due to increased scrutiny.
Section 2(a)(2)
Detailed Disclosure Requirements for Each Communication
For each communication reported by an agency, the bill requires extensive additional details. This includes the names and positions of involved federal employees and their direct supervisors, the statutory authority for the communication (or an explanation if none exists), the name of the platform and its employees involved, a written justification for the communication, its outcome, and a list of any other agencies that were involved or consulted.
Section 2(b)
OMB Consolidated Report to Congress
Within 210 days of the Act's enactment, the Director of OMB is required to compile and submit a comprehensive report to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. This report must include all information on communications submitted by agencies and a summary organized by platform. Crucially, the core information about communications and their descriptions must be submitted in an unclassified form.
Section 2(c)
Inspectors General Review and Enforcement
Each agency's Inspector General (IG) is mandated to conduct a review of their agency's compliance with the Act's reporting requirements within 210 days of enactment. The IG must then submit a report on this compliance to the relevant Congressional committees. If an agency is found to be non-compliant, it must brief these Congressional committees within 60 days of receiving the IG report.