February 20, 2026 | Endorsements

H.R. 7622/S. 3900, the Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026

February 20, 2026 Endorsements

H.R. 7622/S. 3900, the Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026

Bottom Line Up Front

H.R. 7622, the Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026, would expand Iranians’ access to uncensored communications, hold accountable the regime officials and oligarchs responsible for repression, and expose the foreign networks that finance Tehran’s human rights abuses. The legislation extends and increases funding for the Iran Internet Freedom Grant Program, establishes a dedicated Iran Kleptocracy Initiative within FinCEN to investigate and disrupt regime corruption, and directs the Defense Innovation Unit to develop rapidly deployable technologies that can circumvent regime-imposed internet shutdowns.

Bill Number H.R. 7622
Bill Name Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026
Summary Expands Iranians’ access to uncensored internet and secure communications, establishes an Iran Kleptocracy Initiative at FinCEN to disrupt regime corruption, and identifies foreign individuals supporting Tehran’s human rights abuses for potential sanctions.
Chamber Bicameral
Lead Sponsor Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY)
Co-Lead Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA)
Date Introduced 02/20/2026
Companion Bill S. 3900
Companion Lead Sponsor Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA)
Companion Co-Lead Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

Click here to read the full legislative text and view the list of cosponsors.

Why It Matters

  • The Iranian regime has weaponized internet shutdowns to conceal mass atrocities, including a January 2026 blackout that enabled a lethal crackdown on civilian protesters. This bill extends the Iran Internet Freedom Grant Program through 2030 at $30 million annually and directs the Pentagon to develop low-cost, rapidly deployable tools to break through regime blackouts.
  • By creating a dedicated Iran Kleptocracy Initiative within FinCEN, the legislation gives Treasury a permanent, focused tool to investigate, expose, and disrupt the corruption, money laundering, and racketeering networks that sustain regime officials, their families, and their proxies.
  • The bill establishes a process for senior congressional leaders to identify foreign individuals — including suppliers of surveillance and internet shutdown technology — for potential sanctions, closing gaps that have allowed enablers of the regime’s repression to operate with impunity.
  • The legislation strengthens U.S. broadcasting and human rights programming for Iran, ensuring that independent media, civil society, and uncensored news reach the Iranian people at a moment when the regime is more economically and politically vulnerable than at any point in recent memory.

“The Iranian regime has killed an estimated 40,000 people while deploying internet shutdowns, pervasive surveillance, and illicit financial networks to crush peaceful dissent. This staggering death toll underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive U.S. response. The Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026 would expand the Iranian people’s access to uncensored communications, hold accountable the regime officials and oligarchs responsible for repression, and expose the networks that finance Tehran’s human rights abuses.”

Alexandria Paolozzi Moore

Senior Director of Government Relations, FDD Action

Congressional Press Releases

Read statements from members of Congress who are supporting this legislation:

Issues:

Iran