S. 4749 aims to amend the Communications Act of 1934 by establishing a federal legal framework to address 'jawboning,' which refers to the practice of government officials using their influence to persuade private companies to take certain actions, often related to speech or content moderation. The bill seeks to create a legal cause of action for individuals or entities that believe they have been harmed by such practices.
S. 4749 was introduced in the 119th Congress by Ted Cruz (Republican) and is currently listed as “Reported by Committee”. It is classified under the Science, Technology, Communications policy area, one of 128 bills in that area we track this Congress.
Ted Cruz is the sponsor of 27 bills in our database this Congress, so S. 4749 is part of a broader legislative agenda rather than a one-off proposal.
Senate lobbying disclosures list 15 organizations lobbying on this bill’s issue area.
Our conflict-of-interest analysis rates S. 4749 5/10 (moderate risk), higher than 92% of analyzed bills; the average in Science, Technology, Communications is 2.2/10.
Supporters of S. 4749 argue that the bill is a necessary step to protect free speech and prevent government overreach into private sector decision-making. Media outlets highlighting the bill emphasize its potential to safeguard individual rights against coercive tactics that could undermine democratic principles.
Critics of S. 4749 express concerns that the bill may create unintended consequences, such as stifling legitimate government oversight and complicating the relationship between public agencies and private companies. Some media reports suggest that the legislation could lead to increased litigation and may not effectively address the complexities of jawboning in a digital age.
While there are no direct industry overlaps between Senator Ted Cruz's top donor industries and the subject matter of Bill S. 4749, which addresses jawboning under the Communications Act, there is significant lobbying activity in related areas. The National Motor Freight Traffic Association and other freight-related organizations have contributed substantial amounts, totaling $195,000, through BC Consulting, indicating a vested interest in regulatory changes that could impact their operations. This raises concerns about whether the bill may be influenced by the interests of these donors, particularly in the freight and transportation sectors, which could lead to potential conflicts of interest. Voters should be aware of the financial ties between the sponsor and these lobbying groups, as they may affect the legislative intent and outcomes of the bill.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| HOGAN LOVELLS, LLP OBO ZHONGJI INNOLIGHT CO., LTD. | MO STRATEGIES, INC. | $530,000 |
| TENCENT AMERICA LLC | MO STRATEGIES, INC. | $530,000 |
| BORDER TRADE ALLIANCE | BC CONSULTING, LLC | $60,000 |
| ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LIMITED | MO STRATEGIES, INC. | $60,000 |
| FRESH PRODUCE ASSOCIATION OF THE AMERICAS | BC CONSULTING, LLC | $45,000 |
| WERNER ENTERPRISES | BC CONSULTING, LLC | $45,000 |
| OLD DOMINION FREIGHT LINE, INC. | BC CONSULTING, LLC | $45,000 |
| NATIONAL TANK TRUCK CARRIER, INC. | BC CONSULTING, LLC | $37,500 |
| STEVENS TRUCKING | BC CONSULTING, LLC | $30,000 |
| NATIONAL MOTOR FREIGHT TRAFFIC ASSOCIATION | BC CONSULTING, LLC | $22,500 |
| STARR-CAMARGO BRIDGE COMPANY | BC CONSULTING, LLC | $15,000 |
| STRAUNS CUSTOMHOUSE BROKERS, LLC | BC CONSULTING, LLC | $7,500 |
| CLEAN FREIGHT COALITION | MULLEN CONSULTING LLC | undisclosed |
| CITY OF ASHEBORO | CRANFILL SUMNER LLP | undisclosed |
| CITY OF ASHEBORO | CRANFILL SUMNER LLP | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Ted Cruz, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
What does S. 4749 do?
S. 4749 aims to amend the Communications Act of 1934 by establishing a federal legal framework to address 'jawboning,' which refers to the practice of government officials using their influence to persuade private companies to take certain actions, often related to speech or content moderation. The bill seeks to create a legal cause of action for individuals or entities that believe they have…
Has S. 4749 received a floor vote?
No roll-call vote on S. 4749 is recorded in our database yet. Its current status is “Reported by Committee”.
Does S. 4749 have a conflict of interest?
Our conflict-of-interest analysis rates S. 4749 5/10 (moderate risk), higher than 92% of analyzed bills; the average in Science, Technology, Communications is 2.2/10. This score reflects overlap between the sponsor’s campaign funding, lobbying activity, and the industries the bill affects. It is a transparency indicator, not an accusation.
What is the status of S. 4749?
S. 4749 is currently “Reported by Committee” as of our last update on September 17, 2026.
Who sponsored S. 4749?
S. 4749 was sponsored by Ted Cruz (Republican).
