Results for

Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy Act or the SHIELD Act This bill establishes a duty to report election interference from foreign entities, applies existing campaign advertising requirements to online advertisements, and generally limits political spending and election interference by foreign entities. Specifically, a political committee must report certain foreign contacts involving an offer of unlawful election assistance to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Election Commission. The bill establishes criminal penalties for violations of these requirements. This bill establishes that an alien engaging in improper election interference shall be deportable and inadmissible into the United States. Existing requirements for political advertisements and electioneering communications apply to internet and digital advertisements, including requirements related to disclosures and contributions. Additionally, large online platforms must maintain a public database of certain political advertisements. The bill prohibits the distribution of certain deceptive audio or visual media within 60 days of an election. The bill places limitations on political spending by foreign entities. Specifically, foreign entities may not (1) contribute to campaigns related to ballot initiatives and referenda, or (2) make disbursements for certain internet activity referring to a candidate or a political issue. A candidate is prohibited from offering to share nonpublic campaign information with certain foreign entities.

Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy Act or the SHIELD Act This bill establishes a duty to report election interference from foreign entities, applies existing campaign advertising requirements to online advertisements, and generally limits political spending and election interference by foreign entities. Specifically, a political committee must report certain foreign contacts involving an offer of unlawful election assistance to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Election Commission. The bill establishes criminal penalties for violations of these requirements. Existing requirements for political advertisements and electioneering communications apply to internet and digital advertisements, including requirements related to disclosures and contributions. Additionally, large online platforms must maintain a public database of certain political advertisements. The bill places limitations on political spending by foreign entities. Specifically, foreign entities may not (1) contribute to campaigns related to ballot initiatives and referenda, or (2) make disbursements for certain internet activity referring to a candidate or a political issue. A candidate is prohibited from offering to share nonpublic campaign information with certain foreign entities. The bill also prohibits (1) the dissemination of false statements regarding federal elections or public endorsement, or (2) the intentional hindering of voting or registering to vote. The bill establishes criminal penalties and a private right of action with respect to these prohibitions.

Campaign Finance Transparency Act This bill revises the composition of the Federal Election Commission by reducing the number of members from six to five with no more than two members allowed to be affiliated with the same party. As under current law, members are appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The bill requires the President convene a blue ribbon panel to recommend individuals for appointment as a member of the commission. The bill provides for the appointment of a chair and for powers of the chair and the commission. The bill also revises provisions related to the enforcement of election law violations, audits of political committees, conversion of campaign funds, and other matters.

Federal Election Integrity Act of 2019 This bill makes it unlawful for a chief state election administration official to take active part in political management or in a political campaign with respect to any election for federal office over which the official has supervisory authority.

Fair Campaign Communications Act This bill directs the Federal Election Commission to study and report on the practices and procedures used by email providers to classify emails from political campaigns (e.g., classifying such emails as spam).

Get Foreign Money Out of U.S. Elections Act This bill bans campaign contributions and expenditures by corporations, limited liability corporations, and partnerships that are controlled, influenced, or owned by foreign nationals. The bill prohibits foreign nationals and such corporations, limited liability corporations, and partnerships from making disbursements to political committees that accept donations or contributions that do not comply with the limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971. Corporate political action committees may make contributions and expenditures only if they comply with limitations on the involvement of foreign nationals and such corporations, limited liability corporations, and partnerships.

Constitutional Amendment This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment giving Congress and states the power to regulate (1) donations to candidates for public office, or (2) media advertisements intended to influence the outcome of a vote. The amendment prohibits noncitizens or foreign agents from (1) donating to a candidate for public office, or (2) making donations intended to influence the outcome of an election or of any other direct vote.

Political Accountability and Transparency Act This bill restricts the use of certain political funds and revises requirements for political communications. Specifically, the bill * prohibits the personal use of political committee funds; * treats coordinated expenditures, as defined by the bill, as campaign contributions, thereby subjecting them to limits and disclosure requirements; * applies disclosure requirements for electioneering communications to Internet or digital communications; and * requires persons paying for political communications to make their best efforts to determine the true source of the funds used.

Election Official Integrity Act of 2019 This bill prohibits a chief state election administration official from taking an active part in political management or in a political campaign with respect to any election for federal office over which such official has supervisory authority, with certain exceptions.

For the People Act of 2019 This bill addresses voter access, election integrity, election security, political spending, and ethics for the three branches of government. Specifically, the bill expands voter registration and voting access, and limits removing voters from voter rolls. The bill provides for states to establish independent, nonpartisan redistricting commissions. The bill also sets forth provisions related to election security, including sharing intelligence information with state election officials, protecting the security of the voter rolls, supporting states in securing their election systems, developing a national strategy to protect the security and integrity of U.S. democratic institutions, establishing in the legislative branch the National Commission to Protect United States Democratic Institutions, and other provisions to improve the cybersecurity of election systems. This bill addresses campaign spending, including by expanding the ban on foreign nationals contributing to or spending on elections; expanding disclosure rules pertaining to organizations spending money during elections, campaign advertisements, and online platforms; and revising disclaimer requirements for political advertising. This bill establishes an alternative campaign funding system for Senate elections. The system involves federal matching of small contributions for qualified candidates. This bill sets forth provisions related to ethics in all three branches of government. Specifically, the bill requires a code of ethics for federal judges and justices, prohibits Senators from serving on the board of a for-profit entity, expands enforcement of regulations governing foreign agents, and establishes additional conflict-of-interest and ethics provisions for federal employees and the White House. The bill also requires candidates for President and Vice President to submit 10 years of tax returns.

For the People Act of 2019 This bill addresses voter access, election integrity, election security, political spending, and ethics for the three branches of government. Specifically, the bill expands voter registration and voting access and limits removing voters from voter rolls. The bill provides for states to establish independent, nonpartisan redistricting commissions. The bill also sets forth provisions related to election security, including sharing intelligence information with state election officials, protecting the security of the voter rolls, supporting states in securing their election systems, developing a national strategy to protect the security and integrity of U.S. democratic institutions, establishing in the legislative branch the National Commission to Protect United States Democratic Institutions, and other provisions to improve the cybersecurity of election systems. This bill addresses campaign spending, including by expanding the ban on foreign nationals contributing to or spending on elections; expanding disclosure rules pertaining to organizations spending money during elections, campaign advertisements, and online platforms; and revising disclaimer requirements for political advertising. This bill establishes an alternative campaign funding system for certain federal offices. The system involves federal matching of small contributions for qualified candidates. This bill sets forth provisions related to ethics in all three branches of government. Specifically, the bill requires a code of ethics for federal judges and justices, prohibits Members of the House from serving on the board of a for-profit entity, expands enforcement of regulations governing foreign agents, and establishes additional conflict-of-interest and ethics provisions for federal employees and the White House. The bill also requires candidates for President and Vice President to submit 10 years of tax returns.

Honest Elections and Campaign, No Gain Act This bill requires each authorized candidate committee or leadership political action committee (PAC) to disburse all unused funds within a specified time period beginning after an election, unless the candidate files to run for office again before the disbursement period begins. A committee or PAC disbursing unspent funds shall first pay any obligations incurred and, if funds are left over, it may disburse the funds in specified ways, such as by transferring the funds to a national or state committee of a political party.

Constitutional Amendment This joint resolution prohibits construction of the Constitution as forbidding Congress or the states from (1) imposing reasonable content-neutral limitations on private campaign contributions or independent election expenditures; or (2) enacting systems of public campaign financing, including those designed to restrict the influence of private wealth by offsetting campaign spending or independent expenditures with increased public funding.

Nonpartisan Bill For the People Act of 2019 This bill addresses voter registration, congressional redistricting, election security, political spending, and ethics for the three branches of government. The bill provides for the automatic registration of eligible voters. Voters must present identification to vote. The bill requires states to hold open primaries. The bill provides for states to establish independent, nonpartisan redistricting commissions. The bill also sets forth provisions related to election security, including sharing intelligence information with state election officials, protecting the security of the voter rolls, supporting states in securing their election systems, developing a national strategy to protect the security and integrity of U.S. democratic institutions, establishing in the legislative branch the National Commission to Protect United States Democratic Institutions, and other provisions to improve the cybersecurity of election systems. This bill addresses campaign spending, including by expanding the ban on foreign nationals contributing to or spending on elections; expanding disclosure rules pertaining to organizations spending money during elections, campaign advertisements, and online platforms; and revising disclaimer requirements for political advertising. This bill sets forth provisions related to ethics in all three branches of government. Specifically, the bill requires a code of ethics for federal judges and justices, prohibits Members of the House from serving on the board of a for-profit entity, expands enforcement of regulations governing foreign agents, and establishes additional conflict-of-interest and ethics provisions for federal employees and the White House. The bill also requires candidates for President, Vice President, and Congress to submit 10 years of tax returns.

Protect Election Integrity Act of 2020 This bill requires states to establish certain election measures. It also prohibits ballot harvesting in federal elections. Specifically, the bill requires each state, in order to receive certain election assistance funds, to * prohibit the knowing collection and transmission of a ballot that was mailed to another person (commonly referred to as ballot harvesting), with exceptions; * permit poll watching by at least two appointed campaign representatives per campaign; * require absentee and mail-in ballots to be counted and recorded immediately upon receipt without disclosing any results until after the closure of polling places on election day; * require continuous counting of ballots after the closure of polling places on election day; * install video surveillance of ballot drop boxes; * require each supervisor of elections to make publicly available a report outlining preparations for the upcoming general election; and * require an audit of municipal voting systems. Finally, the bill generally prohibits ballot harvesting in federal elections, which is the process of collecting vote-by-mail ballots from voters and returning them to the polling place or election office. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both.

Protect Election Integrity Act of 2020 This bill requires states to establish certain election measures. It also prohibits ballot harvesting in federal elections. Specifically, the bill requires each state, in order to receive certain election assistance funds, to * prohibit the knowing collection and transmission of a ballot that was mailed to another person (commonly referred to as ballot harvesting), with exceptions; * permit poll watching by at least two appointed campaign representatives per campaign; * require absentee and mail-in ballots to be counted and recorded immediately upon receipt without disclosing any results until after the closure of polling places on election day; * require continuous counting of ballots after the closure of polling places on election day; * install video surveillance of ballot drop boxes; * require each supervisor of elections to make publicly available a report outlining preparations for the upcoming general election; and * require an audit of municipal voting systems. Finally, the bill generally prohibits ballot harvesting in federal elections, which is the process of collecting vote-by-mail ballots from voters and returning them to the polling place or election office. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both.

People Over Long Lines Act (POLL Act) This bill requires states to ensure that voters wait no more than 30 minutes at any polling place to cast their vote in a federal election, establishes a private right of action for voters who experience longer waiting times, and directs the Election Assistance Commission to make payments to eligible states to prevent unreasonable waiting times. The bill also prohibits a chief state election administration official from taking an active part in political management or in a political campaign with respect to any federal election over which the official has supervisory authority, with certain exceptions.

Crack Down on Dark Money Act This bill prohibits tax-exempt 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations from using more than 10% of their total expenditures on covered political expenditures (i.e., direct or indirect expenditures for an exempt function, including influencing or attempting to influence the selection, nomination, election, or appointment of any individual to any federal, state, or local public office or office in a political organization, or the election of presidential or vice-presidential electors, whether or not such individual or electors are selected, nominated, elected, or appointed). The bill also requires a social welfare organization that spends funds on political intervention to publicly disclose the name and address of any contributor donating $5,000 or more to such organization. The termpolitical interventionincludes advocacy for the election, defeat, nomination or recall of a political candidate, the making of contributions to a political campaign, communications to the electorate about political candidates, and political use of resources.

Fair Elections Now Actof 2019 This bill establishes the Fair Elections Fund, which shall provide funding to Senate candidates who meet specified conditions and agree to abide by certain requirements, such as limits on types of campaign funding sources. The bill also revises provisions related to broadcasts of Senate campaign advertisements and imposes a tax on certain U.S. government contracts.

Eliminating Leftover Expenses for Campaigns from Taxpayers (ELECT) Act of 2020 This bill terminates (1) the taxpayer election to designate $3 of income tax liability for financing of presidential election campaigns, (2) the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, and (3) the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account. The Department of the Treasury must transfer funds remaining in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund to the treasury for the sole purpose of reducing the deficit.

Eliminating Leftover Expenses for Campaigns from Taxpayers (ELECT) Act of 2020 This bill terminates (1) the taxpayer election to designate $3 of income tax liability for financing of presidential election campaigns, (2) the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, and (3) the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account. The Department of the Treasury must transfer funds remaining in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund to the treasury for the sole purpose of reducing the deficit.

This concurrent resolution expresses support for peace and democracy in Nigeria and calls on Nigeria's government and political parties to take all actions to ensure that elections are credible, transparent, and peaceful in order to support the will of the people. It also calls on the government to respect the impartiality of the Independent National Electoral Commission and take measures to combat vote buying.

Eliminating Leftover Expenses for Campaigns from Taxpayers (ELECT) Act of 2020 This bill terminates (1) the taxpayer election to designate $3 of income tax liability for financing of presidential election campaigns, (2) the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, and (3) the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account. The Department of the Treasury must transfer funds remaining in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services to acquire unexpired personal protective equipment (including face masks) for the strategic national stockpile.

Eliminating Leftover Expenses for Campaigns from Taxpayers (ELECT) Act of 2020 This bill terminates (1) the taxpayer election to designate $3 of income tax liability for financing of presidential election campaigns, (2) the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, and (3) the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account. The Department of the Treasury must transfer funds remaining in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services to acquire unexpired personal protective equipment (including face masks) for the strategic national stockpile.

Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019 This bill establishes new criteria for determining which states and political subdivisions must obtain preclearance before changes to voting practices in these areas may take effect. (Preclearance is the process of receiving preapproval from the Department of Justice or the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia before making legal changes that would affect voting rights.) A state and all of its political subdivisions shall be subject to preclearance of voting practice changes for a 10-year period if (1) 15 or more voting rights violations occurred in the state during the previous 25 years; or (2) 10 or more violations occurred during the previous 25 years, at least one of which was committed by the state itself. A political subdivision as a separate unit shall also be subject to preclearance for a 10-year period if three or more voting rights violations occurred there during the previous 25 years. A state or political subdivision that obtains a declaratory judgment that it has not used a voting practice to deny or abridge the right to vote shall be exempt from preclearance. All jurisdictions must preclear changes to requirements for documentation to vote that make the requirements more stringent than federal requirements for voters who register by mail or state law. The bill specifies practices jurisdictions meeting certain thresholds regarding racial minority groups, language minority groups, or minority groups on Indian land, must preclear before implementing. These practices include changes to methods of election, changes to jurisdiction boundaries, redistricting, changes to voting locations and opportunities, and changes to voter registration list maintenance. The bill expands the circumstances under which (1) a court may retain the authority to preclear voting changes made by a state or political subdivision, or (2) the Department of Justice may assign election observers. States and political subdivisions must notify the public of changes to voting practices. The bill revises the circumstances under which a court must grant preliminary injunctive relief in a challenge to voting practices.