Senators Coons, Schatz, colleagues introduce bill to restore press freedom at the Pentagon

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and 13 of their Senate colleagues introduced the Protecting Pentagon Press Access Act to restore press access at the Department of Defense, reversing attempts by Secretary Pete Hegseth to suppress independent reporting at the Pentagon.

"The First Amendment and a free press aren't sidelined during a time of war, they become more important than ever. Under Secretary Hegseth, the Pentagon has hidden from the American people and their representatives in the press, denying the public critical information about the war in Iran and our own security here at home," said Senator Coons. "Congress must pass this legislation swiftly and restore the press' ability to accurately and transparently report on the Pentagon's activity."

"At a time of war, transparency and independent, accurate reporting matter more than ever," said Senator Schatz. "Our bill will reverse the Pentagon's effort to shut out the free press and make sure the public gets the information it deserves."

Since taking office, Secretary Hegseth imposed a series of unreasonable and retaliatory restrictions on credentialed journalists' access to the Pentagon and their ability to report. These measures go well beyond reasonable rules of conduct and reverse the Pentagon's longstanding approach to the press, which has been maintained by officials from both parties.

The Protecting Pentagon Press Access Act would:

• Restore press access to areas of the Pentagon that were accessible prior to the 2025 restrictions, including the "Correspondents' Corridor"
• Renew unescorted press access to areas of the Pentagon that were accessible without an escort prior to the 2025 restrictions
• Require the Secretary to ensure the integrity of the process to issue to reporters a Pentagon credential, ensuring the security review process is conducted by career officials in the Pentagon Force Protection Agency without unnecessary delays or political influence
• Prohibit any changes to press access at the Pentagon, including the designation of press workspaces, access areas, and press credentials, without prior congressional consultation

In addition to Senators Coons and Schatz, the bill is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.).

The Protecting Pentagon Press Access Act is supported by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and Reporters Without Borders.

The text of the bill can be found here.