PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 16, 2017
Protecting Dissenting Viewpoints and Voices Act of 2017
This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from using the viewpoints that a person broadcasts or otherwise disseminates on issues of public importance as a basis for: (1) revoking the person's licenses or authorizations; (2) taking action against the person; or (3) placing conditions on the FCC's approval of the assignment or transfer of a station license or construction permit or the construction, extension, acquisition, operation, or discontinuation of a communications line.
The bill also prohibits the President from directing an agency to take actions against a person, or to condition agency approvals, based on a person's broadcasted or disseminated viewpoints.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Nothing in this bill affects the authority of the FCC or the President to take action against violations concerning the broadcast of: (1) obscene or indecent language, fraudulent schemes, or lottery information; or (2) content constituting incitement under the First Amendment.
The FCC may continue to enforce broadcast requirements that: (1) permit candidates to federal elective office to purchase reasonable broadcast time, (2) allow equal broadcast opportunities for all candidates for public office, and (3) require disclosures of paid broadcasts.
The President may continue to direct agencies to take actions to execute the President's legal duties.
People & committees
Rep. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM-3] · D–NM
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Aug 11, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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