Tom Cotton (R-AR)
Cellphone Jamming Reform Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 13 Republican cosponsors · See all 13 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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
The Cellphone Jamming Reform Act of 2025 aims to limit the authority of the Federal Communications Commission. It prevents the Commission from stopping State or Federal correctional facilities from using jamming equipment. This equipment is designed to disrupt or interfere with wireless communications. The bill allows these systems to target contraband devices or individuals held within the facility. To use such a system, facilities must follow specific requirements regarding location and notification.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?
The bill expands the ability of correctional facilities to use technology to monitor and disrupt communications.
- Scored +5
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The bill empowers state correctional facilities to implement jamming technology without FCC prevention.
The opposite· 3 of 5
- Scored -4
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?
The bill facilitates the disruption of communications, which can impact speech and contact for incarcerated individuals.
- Scored -3
Does this put more rules on large technology companies?
The bill limits the FCC's authority to regulate signal jamming technology used in facilities.
- Scored -3
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The ability to jam wireless signals can impact the privacy of electronic communications.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Prevention of contraband communication: The bill allows facilities to use jamming systems to prevent, jam, or interfere with wireless communications sent to or from a contraband device (Section 2, Subsection (b)(1)(A)).
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Restriction of communication for individuals in custody: The system can be used to interfere with communications by or to an individual held in the facility (Section 2, Subsection (b)(1)(B)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Requirement for State funding: If a State correctional facility operates the system, that State is responsible for paying the entire cost of the system and its operation (Section 2, Subsection (b)(2)(B)).
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Mandatory local consultation and notification: Before a facility can implement a system, it must consult with local law enforcement and public safety officials, and also submit a notification to the Director of the Bureau of Prisons (Section 2, Subsection (b)(2)(C)).
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.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more rules on large technology companies? — The bill limits the FCC's authority to regulate signal jamming technology used in facilities. Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill allows for the disruption of wireless communication within correctional facilities.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country? — The bill expands the ability of correctional facilities to use technology to monitor and disrupt communications.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill empowers state correctional facilities to implement jamming technology without FCC prevention. Does this protect the individual right to speak freely? — The bill facilitates the disruption of communications, which can impact speech and contact for incarcerated individuals. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The ability to jam wireless signals can impact the privacy of electronic communications. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill restricts the regulatory authority of a federal agency (the FCC).
- 7/21/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/14/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/31/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/27/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/26/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 9 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
5 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho
Shelley CapitoRepublican · West Virginia
Bill CassidyRepublican · Louisiana
Lindsey GrahamRepublican · South Carolina
Bill HagertyRepublican · Tennessee
Cindy Hyde-SmithRepublican · Mississippi
James JusticeRepublican · West Virginia
James LankfordRepublican · Oklahoma
Bernie MorenoRepublican · Ohio
David McCormickRepublican · Pennsylvania
James RischRepublican · Idaho
Pete RickettsRepublican · Nebraska
Rick ScottRepublican · Florida