Fitzpatrick, Herrera Beutler introduce bill to halt foreign contributions in elections

U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) introduced a measure on Nov. 3 that would keep foreign contributions out of state and local ballot initiatives and referenda.

“Allowing foreign contributions to ballot initiatives and referenda poses a direct threat to our nation’s democratic process,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said. “Our bipartisan legislation will put a stop to this illicit practice and ensure that state and local elections are free from foreign influence and decided solely by American voters.”

The Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act, H.R. 5841, introduced by bill sponsor Rep. Fitzpatrick, along with Reps. Herrera Beutler, Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), and three other original cosponsors, would amend the Federal Election Campaign Act to apply the prohibition against donations by foreign nationals in elections to contributions in connection with ballot initiatives and referenda, the text of the bill states.

In a case earlier this year, the Federal Election Commission interpreted the Federal Election Campaign Act to only ban foreign contributions made in candidate elections, but not ballot initiatives and referenda, information supplied by the lawmakers’ stated.

“The Federal Election Commission’s recent decision to allow foreign nationals to influence U.S. elections cannot stand, and I’m helping lead bipartisan legislation to reverse the ruling that greenlit foreign contributions to ballot initiatives and referenda,” Herrera Beutler said. “Congress should act quickly here to ensure that the only voices in our elections are those of American citizens.”

The bill will be considered by the U.S. House Administration Committee.