This bill prohibits foreign-influenced, -controlled, or -owned domestic corporations from contributing to U.S. federal, state, and local elections and mandates strict certification requirements to ensure political funds are free from foreign influence.
Sheldon Whitehouse
Senator
RI
The "Get Foreign Money Out of U.S. Elections Act" strengthens existing bans on foreign influence by prohibiting domestic business entities with significant foreign ownership or control from contributing to federal elections. The bill also mandates strict certification requirements for corporations and PACs to ensure that decision-making processes remain free from foreign interference. Additionally, it expands these protections to cover state and local ballot initiatives and Super PACs.
Get Foreign Money Out of U.S. Elections Act: New Ownership Rules and CEO Certifications Set to Tighten Campaign Finance by 2025
This bill takes a sledgehammer to the loopholes that currently allow foreign-influenced companies to pour money into American elections. Starting 180 days after it hits the books, any domestic business entity—think corporations, LLCs, or partnerships—is banned from making political contributions or expenditures if it meets specific foreign ownership triggers. The math is precise: the ban kicks in if a single foreign national owns 1% of the company, or if multiple foreign nationals collectively own 5% or more. It also covers any company where foreign interests have the power to pull the strings on U.S. decision-making. Essentially, if a company wants to play in the political arena, it has to prove its roots are firmly planted in U.S. soil.
The CEO’s New To-Do List
Under this legislation, if a business wants to donate to a candidate or run a political ad, the CEO can’t just sign a check and walk away. Section 2 requires the CEO to file a formal certification with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) within seven days of making a payment. This isn't just a checkbox; it’s a statement made under penalty of perjury confirming that the entity wasn’t a 'foreign national' at the time of the donation. For the average office worker or manager, this means the 'know your customer' and compliance rules we see in banking are moving into the political suite. If you’re running a PAC or a campaign, you’re now on the hook to ensure you have these certifications in hand before you spend that money, or you risk breaking the law yourself.
Closing the Super PAC Side Door
The bill also cleans up how money moves through the 'darker' corners of campaign finance. Section 3 explicitly extends the foreign money ban to state and local ballot initiatives and, crucially, to Super PACs. For a local construction worker or a small business owner, this means the local bond measures or state-wide tax votes you see on your ballot are now protected by the same foreign-influence rules as the presidency. Furthermore, corporate PACs have to certify that their decision-makers are U.S. citizens or green card holders and that no foreign nationals are whispering in their ears about where the money should go. It’s a move designed to ensure that the people deciding which candidates get a financial boost are actually the ones who have to live with the results of the election.