DISCLOSE Act of 2022

10/8/2022, 4:20 AM

Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2022 or the DISCLOSE Act of 2022

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.

Specifically, 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 Government Accountability Office must, for each four-year election cycle, study and report on the incidence of illicit foreign money in federal elections.

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 Federal Election Commission to disclose campaign expenditures of more than $10,000 during an election cycle.

The bill also 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 - 4822

Introduced on
2022-09-12

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

9/13/2022

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 2022 or the DISCLOSE Act of 2022

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.

Specifically, 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 Government Accountability Office must, for each four-year election cycle, study and report on the incidence of illicit foreign money in federal elections.

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 Federal Election Commission to disclose campaign expenditures of more than $10,000 during an election cycle.

The bill also 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•
Administrative law and regulatory procedures•
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies•
Civil actions and liability•
Congressional oversight•
Constitution and constitutional amendments•
Corporate finance and management•
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation•
Federal Election Commission (FEC)•
Government information and archives•
Government studies and investigations•
Judges•
Judicial review and appeals•
Members of Congress•
Political advertising•
Public participation and lobbying•
Supreme Court•
Tax-exempt organizations•
Telephone and wireless communication

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary9/23/2022

Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2022 or the DISCLOSE Act of 2022

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


Latest Action9/22/2022
Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 49. Record Vote Number: 346. (CR S4949-4950)