Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act
Summary
What This Bill Does
The Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act amends section 319(a)(1)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971. Current law bars foreign nationals from making contributions or donations in connection with Federal, State, or local elections. This bill inserts language making clear that the ban also covers State or local ballot initiatives, referenda, and recall elections. The new rule applies to contributions and donations made on or after the date of enactment, so it is aimed at future ballot-measure and recall spending rather than retroactive enforcement.
Who Benefits and How
State voters benefit from a clearer Federal rule barring foreign-national money from ballot initiatives and referenda. Local voters benefit from the same protection in municipal ballot measures and recall elections. State election administrators benefit from clearer statutory language when explaining or enforcing foreign-contribution restrictions. The Federal Election Commission benefits from an explicit hook for foreign-national donations tied to ballot measures and recalls. Domestic ballot-measure campaigns benefit from reduced risk of foreign-funded opposition or support shaping election outcomes.
Who Bears the Burden and How
Foreign nationals bear a new explicit restriction on contributions or donations connected to ballot initiatives, referenda, and recall elections. Ballot-measure committees must screen contributions for foreign-national sources and update compliance procedures. Recall campaign treasurers must apply the foreign-national ban to donations received after enactment. State election enforcement offices and the Federal Election Commission may need to update guidance, complaint review, and coordination practices.
Key Provisions
- Amends FECA section 319(a)(1)(A) to include State or local ballot initiatives.
- Extends the foreign-national contribution ban to State or local referenda.
- Extends the foreign-national contribution ban to recall elections.
- Applies the amendment to contributions and donations made on or after enactment.
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Expands the Federal Election Campaign Act foreign-national contribution ban so it expressly covers State or local ballot initiatives, referenda, and recall elections, with the amendment applying to contributions and donations made on or after enactment.
Key Policy Areas
Campaign Finance, Election Law, Federal Election Commission
Primary Purpose
Expands the Federal Election Campaign Act foreign-national contribution ban so it expressly covers State or local ballot initiatives, referenda, and recall elections, with the amendment applying to contributions and donations made on or after enactment.
Policy Domains
House resolution provisions
Identified Gains
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- State voters
- Local voters
- State election administrators
- Federal Election Commission
- Domestic ballot-measure campaigns
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Identified Costs
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- Foreign nationals
- Ballot-measure committees
- Recall campaign treasurers
- State election enforcement offices
- Federal Election Commission
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
ReportedReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to …
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without …
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill …
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules …
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate …
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4400-4401)
Mr. Steil moved to suspend the rules and pass the …
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 649.
Reported by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 119-745.
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 11 …
Impact analysis is available but no clear stakeholder effects identified. View clause-level analysis →
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "fec"
- → Federal Election Commission
- "feca"
- → Federal Election Campaign Act
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology