# What This Bill Does

This resolution would prevent journalists working for foreign government-controlled media outlets from getting press credentials to access the House of Representatives' news galleries—unless those outlets comply with U.S. law and the journalists pass FBI background checks.

Right now, reporters from outlets like Al Jazeera (controlled by Qatar's government), Chinese state media, and Russian state media can get credentials that allow them special access to Congress, its members, and sensitive information. The bill argues this is a national security problem. The resolution specifically mentions concerns about China's surveillance activities, Qatar's alleged spying on American politicians, and Russia's history of espionage. It points out that in recent years, over 130 Al Jazeera journalists had Congressional credentials—more than New York Times journalists—even though the U.S. Justice Department determined Al Jazeera is controlled by Qatar's government.

Under this resolution, foreign state media outlets would have to officially register as foreign agents under existing U.S. law and follow all the rules that come with that registration. If they don't, their journalists can't get gallery credentials. Additionally, no more than 10 journalists from any single foreign state-controlled outlet could have credentials at once, and all foreign state media journalists would need to pass an FBI background check before being admitted. The bill also requires the House to report back within 30 days on how to actually enforce these new rules.

The practical effect would be significantly limiting access for journalists from government-controlled foreign media while maintaining press access for independent news organizations. Supporters argue this protects national security by preventing potential foreign spies from using journalist credentials to gather sensitive information on Capitol Hill.

Requiring foreign state media outlets with credentialed members in the House news media galleries to comply with the Foreign Agents Registration Act by prohibiting the admission into such galleries of reporters and correspondents who are representatives of such outlets who are not in compliance with the requirements of such Act, and for other purposes.

Bergman, Jack

This resolution restricts access to the news media galleries in the House Chamber by representatives of media outlets that are affiliated with a foreign government, the family of the ruling monarch of a foreign country, or a foreign political party. Specifically, the resolution bars access to the news media galleries by representatives of a foreign state media outlet if that outlet is not registered as a foreign agent or it otherwise fails to comply with applicable requirements for foreign agents. In addition, before being admitted to the news media galleries, representatives of foreign state media outlets must (1) certify that they have, within the prior six months, undergone a background check conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and (2) that the FBI determined they do not pose a threat to U.S. security. The resolution also caps at 10 the number of reporters and correspondents from the same foreign state media outlet who may be admitted to the news media galleries. The bill also requires a report on the most effective methods for implementing these restrictions.