DISCLOSE Act of 2021

3/8/2023, 8:11 PM

Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2021 or the DISCLOSE Act of 2021

This bill addresses campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals, requiring additional disclosures of campaign expenditures, and requiring additional disclosures regarding certain political advertisements.

First, the bill prohibits foreign nationals from participating in the decision-making process regarding an election expenditure.

Additionally, the bill expands existing foreign money prohibitions to include disbursements for paid web-based or digital communications and federal judicial nomination communications. It also prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to campaigns related to ballot initiatives and referenda.

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) must conduct an audit after each federal election cycle to determine the incidence of illicit foreign money.

Next, the bill makes it unlawful to establish or use a corporation, company, or other entity with the intent to conceal an election contribution or donation by a foreign national. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both.

Covered organizations (e.g., corporations, labor organizations, and political organizations) must, within 24 hours, file reports with the FEC to disclose campaign expenditures of more than $10,000 during an election cycle.

Finally, the bill requires organizations to provide additional disclosures regarding political advertisements, including the donors who contributed the most money to that organization in the last year.

Congress
117

Number
S - 443

Introduced on
2021-02-25

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

2/25/2021

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2021 or the DISCLOSE Act of 2021

This bill addresses campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals, requiring additional disclosures of campaign expenditures, and requiring additional disclosures regarding certain political advertisements.

First, the bill prohibits foreign nationals from participating in the decision-making process regarding an election expenditure.

Additionally, the bill expands existing foreign money prohibitions to include disbursements for paid web-based or digital communications and federal judicial nomination communications. It also prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to campaigns related to ballot initiatives and referenda.

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) must conduct an audit after each federal election cycle to determine the incidence of illicit foreign money.

Next, the bill makes it unlawful to establish or use a corporation, company, or other entity with the intent to conceal an election contribution or donation by a foreign national. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both.

Covered organizations (e.g., corporations, labor organizations, and political organizations) must, within 24 hours, file reports with the FEC to disclose campaign expenditures of more than $10,000 during an election cycle.

Finally, the bill requires organizations to provide additional disclosures regarding political advertisements, including the donors who contributed the most money to that organization in the last year.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to provide for additional disclosure requirements for corporations, labor organizations, Super PACs and other entities, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Government Operations and Politics

Potential Impact
Accounting and auditing•
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies•
Civil actions and liability•
Congressional oversight•
Constitution and constitutional amendments•
Corporate finance and management•
Criminal justice information and records•
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation•
Federal Election Commission (FEC)•
Fraud offenses and financial crimes•
Government studies and investigations•
Judges•
Judicial review and appeals•
Labor-management relations•
Members of Congress•
Political advertising•
Political parties and affiliation•
Public participation and lobbying•
Supreme Court•
Tax-exempt organizations•
Telephone and wireless communication

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary7/29/2021

Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2021 or the DISCLOSE Act of 2021

This bill addresses campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreig...


Latest Action7/19/2022
Committee on Rules and Administration. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-331.