Iranian Digital Empowerment Act

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Dec 14, 2009

Iranian Digital Empowerment Act - States that the export of the following software and related services to Iran by U.S. persons may not be prohibited or restricted: (1) software and related services that allow private Iranian citizens to circumvent online censorship and monitoring efforts imposed by the government of Iran and (2) software and related services that enable personal communication by the Iranian people.

Excludes from such provisions the export of such software and related services to the government of Iran.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Moran, James P. [D-VA-8] · D–VA

Committees

Foreign Affairs Committee

12 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Dec 14, 2009
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Dec 14, 2009
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2986)
Dec 14, 2009
Introduced in House
Dec 14, 2009
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Dec 14, 2009 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4301 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4301, 111th Congress: Iranian Digital Empowerment Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/4301

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-12-14.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr4301/BILLS-111hr4301ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T16:16:48Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.4301 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4301 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4301, 111th Congress: Iranian Digital Empowerment Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/4301

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-12-14.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr4301/BILLS-111hr4301ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T16:16:48Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4301 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4301 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4301, 111th Congress: Iranian Digital Empowerment Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/4301

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-12-14.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr4301/BILLS-111hr4301ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T16:16:48Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4301 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4301 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4301, 111th Congress: Iranian Digital Empowerment Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/4301

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-12-14.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr4301/BILLS-111hr4301ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T16:16:48Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4301 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.