H.R. 10188: Protecting Pentagon Press Access Act

This bill would require the Department of Defense to restore and maintain press access inside the Pentagon for credentialed journalists within 30 days of enactment.

What it would change

• It would bring back access to Pentagon areas that journalists could enter on May 22, 2025, including the Correspondents' Corridor and other designated press work areas.
• It would restore unescorted access for credentialed journalists to any Pentagon areas they could enter without an escort on that date.
• It would require the Pentagon to keep a fair and timely process for granting the Pentagon Facilities Alternative Credential to reporters.
• It would assign the Pentagon Force Protection Agency to handle the security review for those credentials.
• It would say that the security review must be carried out by career officials, without unnecessary delay or political influence from the Defense Department’s public affairs office.
• It would bar changes to press access, press workspaces, access areas, or press credentials at the Pentagon unless Congress’s armed services committees are consulted first.

Purpose stated in the bill

The bill says its goal is to support accurate and independent reporting on defense policy and military affairs by restoring journalist access that it says had been available for many years. It also seeks to remove restrictions on credentialed journalists that were put in place by Defense Department memoranda in 2025 and 2026.

Other points in the bill

The bill includes findings and a statement of congressional views saying that press access helps public oversight, helps Congress do its job, and can improve understanding of how the Defense Department operates and spends taxpayer money. These sections do not themselves change policy, but explain why Congress says the change is needed.

Relevant Companies

None found.