State Department 'censorship' office finds lifeline in 1,500-page spending bill

A State Department-housed office that conservatives say funded an unconstitutional “censorship scheme” would receive a one-year extension under a provision in a 1,547-page spending bill to prevent a government shutdown.

The bill text, which was released on Tuesday before the House and Senate adjourn for Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s holidays, includes a provision that would reauthorize the State Department’s Global Engagement Center. Founded in 2016, the GEC has come under immense public and congressional scrutiny following reports from the Washington Examiner on it granting taxpayer dollars to the Global Disinformation Index and other outside groups working to suppress right-leaning voices online.