Who it affects
- Journalists seeking or holding Pentagon press credentials
- Defense Secretary
- Pentagon Force Protection Agency
- Congressional armed services committees
In committeeNews mediaMilitaryGovernment
Protecting Pentagon Press Access Act
S. 5288 · Senate bill · Introduced Aug. 6, 2026
The Protecting Pentagon Press Access Act would require restoring journalists’ Pentagon access and workspaces, set rules for press credentials, and require congressional consultation before access changes.
At a glance
Where it stands
In committee
How South Carolina voted
No recorded votes yet.
See each vote ↓Lobbying and money
No lobbying reported yet
Lobbyists report every three months, about 20 days after each quarter ends. We have January 2025 through September 2026 reports. Newer reports will be added once filed and published.
What it would do
- Within 30 days of becoming law, the bill would require restoring journalists’ Pentagon access to May 22, 2025 levels.
- This includes designated press workspaces and access without escorts for journalists with proper credentials.
- Career Pentagon Force Protection Agency officials would review reporters’ security eligibility without unnecessary delays or political influence.
- Political appointees could not reverse those decisions.
- Approval could not depend on accepting policies restricting First Amendment activities, such as reporting.
- The Defense Secretary would have to consult congressional armed services committees before changing press access, workspaces, or credentials.
Written with AI from the official bill text, because no CRS summary is available. Read the bill text ↗
How South Carolina voted
No recorded roll-call vote on this bill yet.
Groups that lobbied on it and gave to SC's members
PAC, lobbyist campaign and qualifying employee money this election, shown separately and never added together. Lobbying reports name the bills a group worked on, not which side it took.
No lobbying reported yet. Lobbyists report every three months, about 20 days after each quarter ends. We have January 2025 through September 2026 reports. Newer reports will be added once filed and published.
Official record
Official title, sponsor and status
- Official title
- A bill to restore press access to the Pentagon, and for other purposes.
- Sponsor
- Sen. Schatz, Brian (D-HI)
- Introduced
- Aug. 6, 2026
- Cosponsors
- 15
- Committees
- Senate Armed Services Committee
- Latest action
- Aug. 6, 2026 · Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Official summary from the Congressional Research Service
Congress hasn't published an official summary.
Summary on Congress.gov ↗Everyone who lobbied on this bill (0 groups)
No lobbying report we have loaded names this bill. That doesn't mean no lobbying took place.
Lobbyists report every three months, about 20 days after each quarter ends. We have January 2025 through September 2026 reports. Newer reports will be added once filed and published. Reports for October through December 2026 are due January 20, 2027.