Senator Joe Lieberman (file photo)

U.S. lawmakers say they plan legislation that would fund efforts to help Iranians receive and send information despite government restrictions.

Independent Senator Joe Lieberman said Thursday that the bill intends to help the Iranian people stay "one step ahead of the Iranian regime."

Lieberman introduced the bill with Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham.

McCain said the proposed legislation would authorize funds to ensure Iranians have the software and other tools to evade government censorship and surveillance online.

The legislation would also authorize VOA's Persian service to make permanent an additional hour of programming that was added to cover the post-election violence.

More funding would also be provided to the U.S. government-sponsored Radio Farda to boost the broadcaster's short-wave radio and satellite capacity.