Schatz Leads Group Of 14 Senators In Introducing New Bill To Restore Press Freedom At Pentagon

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) today led a group of 14 senators in introducing the Protecting Pentagon Press Access Act. The new legislation would restore press access at the Department of Defense, reversing attempts by Secretary Pete Hegseth to suppress independent reporting at the Pentagon. In addition to Schatz, the bill is 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.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.).

"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";
• Restore 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; and
• Prohibit any changes to press access at the Pentagon, including the designation of press workspaces, access areas, and press credentials, without prior congressional consultation.

As the co-author of the Global Press Freedom Act, Schatz has been leading efforts to protect press freedom around the world, including a resolution recognizing World Press Freedom Day.

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

The text of the bill is available here.

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