Smith-Mundt Modernization Act Repeal
Current understanding
HR5704 proposes to repeal the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2013, which amended the U.S. Information and Educational Exchange Act to permit domestic dissemination of public diplomacy materials produced by the State Department and U.S. Agency for Global Media (e.g., Voice of America, Radio Free Europe) for foreign audiences. Repeal would restore the pre-2013 prohibition on domestic distribution of these materials. The bill is at introduction stage; fiscal impact would be limited but operational implications for USAGM broadcasters and State public diplomacy programs could be significant.