Daniel Ellsberg Press Freedom and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2026

This bill changes parts of the Espionage Act, the federal law on sharing national defense and classified information. It would require prosecutors to show a person acted with specific intent to harm the United States or help a foreign nation for several offenses. Several offenses would apply only to "covered persons" (people granted official access to classified information who signed a nondisclosure agreement) or to foreign agents, and only to information that was properly classified. Defendants could testify about why they acted. They could also defend themselves by showing they disclosed the information to reveal legal violations, gross mismanagement, waste, abuse of authority, or a danger to public health or safety.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Rashida Tlaib Democrat sponsor
• 7 cosponsors