Bipartisan legislation recently introduced by U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) would authorize federal rewards for providing information on foreign election interference.
“This bipartisan legislation sends a clear message to malicious actors attempting to interfere in our democratic process: the United States will absolutely not tolerate it, and there will be consequences,” said Rep. McCaul, ranking member on the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Rep. McCaul on July 9 introduced the Rewards for Providing Information on Foreign Election Interference Act, H.R. 7519, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
H.R. 7519, if enacted, would increase U.S. State Department financial resources to reward people who alert American authorities about foreign attempts to interfere in U.S. elections.
“America is an example of how freedom and democracy can work and how much it benefits the people,” Rep. McCaul said. “So it’s no surprise nefarious agents bent on destroying freedom and democracy would seek to undermine our election process and sow seeds of discord, fearing the message our peaceful transition of power sends to oppressed people around the world.”
According to the text of the bill, foreign election interference would mean conduct by a foreign person that violates U.S. criminal, voting rights or campaign finance law; or is performed by any person acting as an agent of or on behalf of a foreign government or criminal enterprise.