This bill aims to restore news media access to the Pentagon that Congress says has been restricted since 2025 under Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth. The legislation requires the Secretary of Defense to reinstate journalist access to Pentagon areas and spaces that were available to credentialed reporters on May 22, 2025, including the Correspondents' Corridor, and to allow unescorted access to areas where reporters previously could work independently. The bill also establishes new security procedures for press credentials, requiring that security reviews be conducted by career officials without political influence and prohibits future changes to press access without consulting both the Senate and House Armed Services Committees. Congress finds that independent reporting on defense matters is essential for democratic oversight and public understanding of military operations and spending, and that reporters need proximity to Pentagon officials and documents to conduct thorough investigations. The legislation must take effect within 30 days of enactment and contains no specific funding provisions.
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