A bill to protect the editorial independence of the Stars and Stripes news organization.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 4614 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4614 To protect the editorial independence of the Stars and Stripes news organization. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 20, 2026 Mrs. Shaheen (for herself and Mr. Blumenthal) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To protect the editorial independence of the Stars and Stripes news organization. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Stars and Stripes Editorial Independence Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress makes the following findings: (1) Stars and Stripes has reported on issues unique to members of the United States Armed Forces, particularly those serving abroad, dating back to the Civil War. (2) Stars and Stripes remains editorially independent of interference or censorship from outside its own editorial chain of command. (3) A free and independent press is a cornerstone of democratic governance and is essential to transparency, accountability, and informed public decisionmaking. (4) Congress has historically recognized Stars and Stripes as an independent journalistic organization serving members of the Armed Forces and their families overseas. (5) Stars and Stripes provides unique and sustained coverage of issues affecting servicemember and veterans' quality of life, including housing, health care, pay and benefits, family readiness, training conditions, and the long- term impacts of military service. (6) Such reporting elevates concerns and experiences that may otherwise receive limited attention, enabling policymakers and the public to better understand the live