Thomas Massie (R-KY)
Repeal the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2013
A Republican bill with 10 Republican cosponsors · See all 10 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Repeal the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2013," seeks to prohibit the Federal Government from engaging in domestic propagandization. It amends the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 to restrict how the Secretary of State and the USAGM disseminate information. The legislation prohibits the use of funds to influence public opinion or propagandize within the United States. It also establishes specific rules for the archival and domestic release of materials produced for foreign dissemination. Furthermore, it updates the Foreign Relations Authorization Act of 1986 and 1987 to include a ban on the domestic distribution of certain program materials.
Yes
- Scored +6
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates that specific materials be made available for examination by the press and Members of Congress to increase oversight.
- Scored +5
Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life?
The bill prohibits government-funded domestic propagandization and ensures transparency of information used for foreign dissemination.
- Scored +4
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?
The bill limits the government's ability to influence public opinion through specialized media programs.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Would people in cities be better off under this?
The bill imposes a 20-year delay on the domestic distribution of certain historical government information.
- Scored -1
Does this make trade with other countries easier?
The bill restricts how the US government can promote its interests through media dissemination if that material is intended for domestic viewing.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Prevention of Domestic Influence: The bill prohibits the use of funds by the Department of State or the USAGM to influence public opinion or propagandize within the United States (Section 2(a), subsection (b)(2)).
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Increased Transparency for Oversight: Materials produced for foreign dissemination must be made available to representatives of United States press associations, newspapers, magazines, radio systems, and stations, as well as Members of Congress (Section s 2(a), subsection (b)(1)).
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Public Access to Historical Records: The Archivist of the United States is tasked with maintaining and making accessible materials produced for foreign dissemination to the public after a 20-year period (Section 2(a), subsection (c)(1)).
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Clear Identification of Government Materials: Any materials made accessible by the Archivist after the 20-year period must include a clear and permanent identifier or watermark regarding the responsible government entity, the target region, and the purpose of the material (Section 2(a), subsection (c)(2)(B)).
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Information Availability regarding Operations: The bill ensures that the Department of State or USAGM can still provide factual information about their operations, policies, or programs to the media, the public, or Congress (Section 2(b), subsection (a)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Information Distribution: Materials produced for foreign dissemination may not be disseminated within the United States, except for specific uses by Members of Congress for official oversight (Section 2(a), subsection (b)(1)).
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Limitations on Public Access to Archives: The Archivist can only make certain materials accessible for examination in a format that permits viewing but not reproduction or redistribution (Section 2(a), subsection (c)(1)).
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Delayed Access to Records: Materials produced for foreign dissemination cannot be distributed domestically by the Archivist until a 20-year period has passed (Section 2(a), subsection (c)(2)(A)).
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Financial Requirements for Record Release: Persons seeking the release of materials from the Archivist may be required to pay a fee to cover the costs incurred by the Archivist (Section 2(a), subsection (c)(3)(B)(ii)(II)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates that specific materials be made available for examination by the press and Members of Congress to increase oversight. Does this protect the individual right to speak freely? — The bill limits the government's ability to influence public opinion through specialized media programs.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life? — The bill prohibits government-funded domestic propagandization and ensures transparency of information used for foreign dissemination.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill imposes a 20-year delay on the domestic distribution of certain historical government information.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this make trade with other countries easier? — The bill restricts how the US government can promote its interests through media dissemination if that material is intended for domestic viewing.
- 5/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/7/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/31/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/24/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 10/10/2025
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 10/8/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Eric BurlisonRepublican · Missouri
Elijah CraneRepublican · Arizona
Paul GosarRepublican · Arizona
Marjorie GreeneRepublican · Georgia
Mark HarrisRepublican · North Carolina
Anna Paulina LunaRepublican · Florida
Scott PerryRepublican · Pennsylvania
David RouzerRepublican · North Carolina
Chip RoyRepublican · Texas
Tony WiedRepublican · Wisconsin