WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday advanced four bipartisan bills backed by U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., including legislation aimed at expanding internet access and communications tools for civilians in Iran during government-imposed blackouts.
The Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026, introduced by McCormick and Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., would support internet access for Iranian civilians, strengthen cybersecurity resources for journalists and activists, and expand support for independent broadcasting and human rights programming. The measure now heads to the full Senate.
The committee’s action comes as lawmakers continue to debate U.S. policy toward Iran and the role of communications technology in supporting civil society under authoritarian governments.
In addition to the Iran measure, the committee approved three other bills co-sponsored by McCormick that address energy security, international economic partnerships, and passport services.
The Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act would establish the Eastern Mediterranean as a strategic focus of U.S. foreign policy and support the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, a multinational initiative intended to strengthen trade, transportation, and infrastructure links among partner nations. The legislation also seeks to deepen cooperation with Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt on energy and economic issues.
The Pacific Promotion of Workable Energy Resources Act, known as the POWER Act, would promote geothermal energy development across the Indo-Pacific region. Supporters say the measure would help strengthen energy security among U.S. allies, reinforce supply chains, and expand opportunities for American geothermal companies.
The committee also approved legislation sponsored by McCormick and U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., that would allow nonprofit public libraries to continue collecting and retaining fees for processing passport applications.
The proposal responds to a 2025 State Department policy change that determined many nonprofit libraries were ineligible to provide passport services under federal law. According to McCormick’s office, more than 26 nonprofit libraries in Pennsylvania processed more than 41,000 passport applications last year.
“Whether it’s standing with the Iranian people against a repressive regime, extending America’s energy leadership across the Indo-Pacific, securing critical partnerships in the Eastern Mediterranean, or protecting passport access in communities back home, this is commonsense, bipartisan legislation that strengthens our security and serves the American people,” McCormick said.
All four measures now advance to the full Senate for consideration.
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