Stars and Stripes Editorial Independence Act of 2026

This bill would write into federal law existing Defense Department rules on the editorial independence of Stars and Stripes, a news organization serving members of the military and their families. The Secretary of Defense would have to keep Stars and Stripes' news operations independent of the military chain of command and public affairs offices, without censorship. The bill bars deliberately withholding news that is unfavorable to the Defense Department or the government, but Stars and Stripes could not publish staff stories based on classified information or information that endangers U.S. personnel or national security. It also requires a civilian publisher with professional news experience and allows Stars and Stripes to buy content from commercial news sources.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Jeanne Shaheen Democrat sponsor
• 1 cosponsors