Bill Proposal for the Repeal of Domestic Propaganda Authorization

Title: The Truth and Transparency Act

Bill No.: [To Be Assigned]
Date: [To Be Assigned]
Sponsor(s): [To Be Assigned]
Committee(s): [To Be Assigned]

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the "Truth and Transparency Act."

SECTION 2. FINDINGS

Congress finds the following:

1. The Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2012, signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), removed protections that previously prohibited the U.S. government from engaging in propaganda directed at American citizens.

2. The use of government-sponsored propaganda to influence public opinion undermines the integrity of a free press and the right of citizens to access truthful, unbiased information.

3. The American people have the right to be free from state-sponsored manipulation, coercion, or psychological operations intended to shape their perception of reality.

4. Trust in media and government institutions has significantly eroded, in part due to the dissemination of misleading, biased, or politically motivated narratives.

5. The role of government should be to protect truth and transparency, not to manufacture consent through taxpayer-funded influence campaigns.

SECTION 3. REPEAL OF PROPAGANDA AUTHORIZATION

(a) Repeal of Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2012. The provisions of the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2012 that permit the domestic dissemination of government-produced information originally intended for foreign audiences shall be fully repealed.

(b) Restoration of the Smith-Mundt Act Protections (1948). The original restrictions under the Smith-Mundt Act of 1948, prohibiting the use of U.S. government-funded media and psychological operations against the American people, shall be restored and enforced.

SECTION 4. TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES

(a) Disclosure Requirements: Any federal agency engaged in information campaigns shall be required to publicly disclose funding sources, objectives, and methodologies used in such campaigns.
(b) Independent Oversight: A bipartisan congressional committee shall be established to audit and review all government communication programs to ensure compliance with this Act.
(c) Criminal Penalties: Any government official found to be knowingly engaging in or authorizing propaganda efforts targeted at American citizens shall face criminal prosecution under existing laws governing fraud, misuse of government funds, and violations of civil liberties.

SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE

This Act shall take effect immediately upon passage and shall apply to all federal agencies and government-sponsored communications programs.

SECTION 6. SEVERABILITY

If any provision of this Act is found to be unconstitutional or otherwise unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

SIGNED WHISKEY ALPHA GOLF NOVEMBER ECHO ROMEO