Overview
- Senators Ted Cruz and Ron Wyden introduced the JAWBONE Act on June 16, 2026 to outlaw government coercion or attempted coercion of social media firms, broadcasters, and AI providers to add, alter, or remove speech.
- The measure creates a federal private right of action that allows targets of jawboning to seek compensatory damages, injunctive relief, and attorney fees even if the pressured company did not comply.
- JAWBONE would force agencies to record covered communications to standards set by NIST and publish summaries in an OSTP-run portal while giving congressional committees access to unredacted records.
- Supporters from across the political spectrum, including civil liberties and conservative groups, say the bill fixes standing and evidence gaps that stalled earlier cases but analysts warn early discovery and broad bans could chill lawful government alerts or invite costly litigation.
- The legislation now awaits committee action in the Senate and could reshape how officials communicate with private intermediaries by increasing transparency and legal risk for informal pressure.