The House debated the Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act, which would extend the existing ban on political donations by foreign nationals to state and local ballot initiatives, referenda, and recall elections. Members from both parties supported the bill, saying it closes a gap in current law, which only bars foreign money in candidate elections. Representative Morelle also said Congress should go further on other campaign finance changes, such as addressing undisclosed spending.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .
“I want the House to pass this bill. It stops people from other countries from giving money to state and local ballot measures.”
“Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3535) to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to apply the prohibition against contributions and donations by foreign nationals in connection with elections to contributions or donations in connection with ballot initiatives and referenda. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows:”
Official Congressional Record
Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3535) to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to apply the prohibition against contributions and donations by foreign nationals in connection with elections to contributions or donations in connection with ballot initiatives and referenda. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows:
“I want the House to pass this bill. Current law bans foreign money in federal elections, but it still allows foreign money in state and local ballot measures and recall elections. This bill stops foreign citizens from donating to those elections too. Only American citizens should fund U.S. political causes.”
“Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3535, the Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act, introduced by my friend, Representative Brian Fitzpatrick. U.S. elections should be for U.S. citizens only, and only U.S. citizens should be participating in and donating in political causes. Today, gaps in our existing laws undermine this principle and actually permit foreign actors to fund U.S. political activities. It is true. Current law allows foreign funding to infiltrate State and local ballot initiatives, referenda, and recall elections. As we have seen in recent history, those races can attract millions of dollars in outside spending. Some of that has been foreign money, and right now that is completely legal. Shadowy groups, like Sixteen Thirty Fund, funneled millions of foreign-linked dollars into ballot initiatives and campaigns in States, including Arizona, Nevada, and Ohio. It sounds crazy, but it is true, Madam Speaker. We should all be able to agree that foreign funds should not be influencing or financing ballot measures, referenda, or recall elections. Current law, as we know, already prohibits foreign money in Federal elections, and this bill broadens that nonpartisan, commonsense prohibition to similar State and local elections. Madam Speaker, elections should be decided by Americans, and they should not be influenced or funded by foreign nationals. Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation and ensure American elections remain for American citizens only, and I reserve the balance of my time”
Official Congressional Record
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3535, the Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act, introduced by my friend, Representative Brian Fitzpatrick. U.S. elections should be for U.S. citizens only, and only U.S. citizens should be participating in and donating in political causes. Today, gaps in our existing laws undermine this principle and actually permit foreign actors to fund U.S. political activities. It is true. Current law allows foreign funding to infiltrate State and local ballot initiatives, referenda, and recall elections. As we have seen in recent history, those races can attract millions of dollars in outside spending. Some of that has been foreign money, and right now that is completely legal. Shadowy groups, like Sixteen Thirty Fund, funneled millions of foreign-linked dollars into ballot initiatives and campaigns in States, including Arizona, Nevada, and Ohio. It sounds crazy, but it is true, Madam Speaker. We should all be able to agree that foreign funds should not be influencing or financing ballot measures, referenda, or recall elections. Current law, as we know, already prohibits foreign money in Federal elections, and this bill broadens that nonpartisan, commonsense prohibition to similar State and local elections. Madam Speaker, elections should be decided by Americans, and they should not be influenced or funded by foreign nationals. Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation and ensure American elections remain for American citizens only, and I reserve the balance of my time
“I want the House to pass this bill. It stops foreign money from being used to influence state and local ballot measures and recall elections.”
“Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, this bill is broadly about making sure that American elections are for American citizens only. As my colleague Mr. Morelle noted, there is a significant, gaping hole in U.S. campaign finance laws, and, in particular, that is in relation to the measures that we have spoken about, about ballot initiatives, other essential pieces of American democracy that currently allow for foreign funding to come in and influence those campaigns. While that is not an office seeker for elected office, I think it is without a doubt that those elections and those ballot initiatives are in many ways equally essential to American democracy. Closing out this gap and making sure that foreign funds are not finding their way into U.S. elections is absolutely essential. I thank my colleague, Mr. Fitzpatrick, for authoring this legislation, understanding the importance of making sure that we are rooting out foreign funds inside U.S. elections. There is a basic premise and a basic principle, and in a particular period of time when it is so simple and so easy for funds to be transmitted into these political activities here in the United States of America, an individual outside of the United States could easily move funds in to influence a U.S. election. Of course, it is illegal for a donation to be made to an individual seeking Federal elected office, but right now the underlying law does not ban that for purposes of ballot initiatives, local ballot initiatives, referenda, or recall elections. This legislation fixes that very important point. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.”
Official Congressional Record
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, this bill is broadly about making sure that American elections are for American citizens only. As my colleague Mr. Morelle noted, there is a significant, gaping hole in U.S. campaign finance laws, and, in particular, that is in relation to the measures that we have spoken about, about ballot initiatives, other essential pieces of American democracy that currently allow for foreign funding to come in and influence those campaigns. While that is not an office seeker for elected office, I think it is without a doubt that those elections and those ballot initiatives are in many ways equally essential to American democracy. Closing out this gap and making sure that foreign funds are not finding their way into U.S. elections is absolutely essential. I thank my colleague, Mr. Fitzpatrick, for authoring this legislation, understanding the importance of making sure that we are rooting out foreign funds inside U.S. elections. There is a basic premise and a basic principle, and in a particular period of time when it is so simple and so easy for funds to be transmitted into these political activities here in the United States of America, an individual outside of the United States could easily move funds in to influence a U.S. election. Of course, it is illegal for a donation to be made to an individual seeking Federal elected office, but right now the underlying law does not ban that for purposes of ballot initiatives, local ballot initiatives, referenda, or recall elections. This legislation fixes that very important point. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
“I want the House to pass this bill. Current law bans foreign money in candidate elections, but it still allows it in state and local ballot votes. This bill closes that loophole so only Americans decide these issues.”
“Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my legislation, H.R. 3535, the Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act. Madam Speaker, this legislation is built on a simple principle: American elections should be decided by the American people, not by the influence of foreign actors. The Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act closes a dangerous and longstanding loophole in our current election system. While current Federal law already prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to candidates running for office, there remains gaps when it comes to State and local ballot measures. Ballot initiatives, referendum, and recall elections often determine major public policy questions that directly affect American communities, yet existing law does not clearly prohibit foreign money from being used to influence these outcomes. This bill closes that loophole. Madam Speaker, this is not a partisan issue. Whether the issue on the ballot is one you support or oppose, every American should agree that the outcome should reflect the will of the American voters, not the financial influence of foreign interests. Our elections and ballot measures exist to give the American people a voice, not outside actors with agendas that may conflict with our national interests. The Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act simply extends an existing safeguard to ensure that all taxpayer-funded elections receive the same protection from foreign influence. I thank Congressman Golden for his partnership on this legislation as well as Chairman Steil and Ranking Member Morelle for their engagement on this legislation. I urge all my colleagues to support this commonsense bill to strengthen the integrity of our electoral system and ensure that our democratic process remains accountable to the citizens that it serves.”
Official Congressional Record
Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my legislation, H.R. 3535, the Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act. Madam Speaker, this legislation is built on a simple principle: American elections should be decided by the American people, not by the influence of foreign actors. The Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act closes a dangerous and longstanding loophole in our current election system. While current Federal law already prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to candidates running for office, there remains gaps when it comes to State and local ballot measures. Ballot initiatives, referendum, and recall elections often determine major public policy questions that directly affect American communities, yet existing law does not clearly prohibit foreign money from being used to influence these outcomes. This bill closes that loophole. Madam Speaker, this is not a partisan issue. Whether the issue on the ballot is one you support or oppose, every American should agree that the outcome should reflect the will of the American voters, not the financial influence of foreign interests. Our elections and ballot measures exist to give the American people a voice, not outside actors with agendas that may conflict with our national interests. The Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act simply extends an existing safeguard to ensure that all taxpayer-funded elections receive the same protection from foreign influence. I thank Congressman Golden for his partnership on this legislation as well as Chairman Steil and Ranking Member Morelle for their engagement on this legislation. I urge all my colleagues to support this commonsense bill to strengthen the integrity of our electoral system and ensure that our democratic process remains accountable to the citizens that it serves.
“I want my colleagues to vote for this bill. It stops foreign money from being used in our elections.”
“Madam Speaker, I will close by saying I thank my colleague Brian Fitzpatrick from Pennsylvania and Ranking Member Morelle for their work on closing this gap in Federal law. I encourage all of my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 3535, and I yield back the balance of my time.”
Madam Speaker, I will close by saying I thank my colleague Brian Fitzpatrick from Pennsylvania and Ranking Member Morelle for their work on closing this gap in Federal law. I encourage all of my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 3535, and I yield back the balance of my time.
