Young joins GOP colleagues in proposing bill to prohibit federal funds for disinformation board

Federal funds would not be allowed to be used for the Disinformation Governance Board at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under legislation introduced this week by U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) and 18 other Republicans.

DHS is focused on disinformation that threatens the security of the American people, including disinformation spread by foreign states such as Russia, China, and Iran, or other adversaries, including transnational criminal organizations and human smuggling organizations. Toward completing such work, DHS operates the Disinformation Governance Board. Although the board doesn’t have operational authority, there are concerns that it could stifle or investigate free speech. 

“The idea that a disinformation board of unelected government bureaucrats should enforce speech rules is both radical and unconstitutional,” Sen. Young said. “Hoosiers shouldn’t have to answer to a government bureaucracy when exercising their First Amendment right to free speech. This board should be shut down immediately.”

The legislation, S. 4124, is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR). Among the 17 other lawmakers joining Sen. Young as an original cosponsor of S. 4124 are U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Joni Ernst (R-IA).