HCR 15 - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2820
07/06
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 15
SPONSORS: Rep. Morse, Merr. 3; Rep. Thibault, Merr. 25; Rep. Nadeau, Rock. 4; Rep. Terry, Belk. 7; Rep. Sabourin dit Choiniere, Rock. 30; Rep. Mazur, Hills. 44
COMMITTEE: State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
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ANALYSIS
This resolution urges Congress to pass federal legislation promoting greater media accountability as a way to honor the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
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26-2820
07/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
Whereas, the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948, known as the Smith-Mundt Act, was designed to broadcast information about the United States to foreign audiences as a form of "public diplomacy".
Whereas, the Smith-Mundt Act explicitly prohibited the Department of State and the Broadcasting Board of Governors from disseminating material domestically out of concern for creating government-funded propaganda.
Whereas, the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2012 lifted the domestic distribution ban, allowing government-produced foreign communication to be made available inside the United States upon request.
Whereas, this change allowed government-produced information to be more widely disseminated within the United States for the first time since the original act passed, leading to concerns that it could be used to influence public opinion.
Whereas, despite the repeal of the dissemination ban, restrictions against directly targeting domestic audiences remain in place, and United States law technically prohibits funds from being used "to influence public opinion in the United States".
Whereas, the rise of the Internet and global broadcasting has made these distinctions difficult to enforce, as content intended for foreign audiences can be easily accessed online within the United States.
Whereas, the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2012 has contributed to the media's ability to spread misinformation and propaganda to influence public opinion.
Whereas, the media's ability to spread misinformation and propaganda was exemplified by the media's coverage of the Charlie Kirk shooting; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the legislature of the state of New Hampshire hereby urges that Congress adopt an act, to be known as the "Charlie Kirk Act," that would hold the media accountable for spreading misinformation about Charlie Kirk.
That the house clerk is hereby directed to prepare and transmit copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, the majority and minority leaders in both houses of Congress, to the New Hampshire congressional delegation, and to the governor of the state of New Hampshire.
Dec. 1, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs