Legis Daily

SHIELD Act

USA116th CongressS-2669| Senate 
| Updated: 10/23/2019
Amy Klobuchar

Amy Klobuchar

Democratic Senator

Minnesota

Cosponsors (26)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Tom Udall (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Jack Reed (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Kamala D. Harris (Democratic)Thomas R. Carper (Democratic)Mark R. Warner (Democratic)Angus S. King (Independent)Robert P. Casey (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Jon Tester (Democratic)Michael F. Bennet (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Benjamin L. Cardin (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Rules and Administration Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy Act or the SHIELD Act This bill establishes a duty to report election interference from foreign entities, applies existing campaign advertising requirements to online advertisements, and generally limits political spending and election interference by foreign entities. Specifically, a political committee must report certain foreign contacts involving an offer of unlawful election assistance to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Election Commission. The bill establishes criminal penalties for violations of these requirements. Existing requirements for political advertisements and electioneering communications apply to internet and digital advertisements, including requirements related to disclosures and contributions. Additionally, large online platforms must maintain a public database of certain political advertisements. The bill places limitations on political spending by foreign entities. Specifically, foreign entities may not (1) contribute to campaigns related to ballot initiatives and referenda, or (2) make disbursements for certain internet activity referring to a candidate or a political issue. A candidate is prohibited from offering to share nonpublic campaign information with certain foreign entities. The bill also prohibits (1) the dissemination of false statements regarding federal elections or public endorsement, or (2) the intentional hindering of voting or registering to vote. The bill establishes criminal penalties and a private right of action with respect to these prohibitions.
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Timeline
Oct 23, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Oct 23, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
May 22, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-7005
Introduced in House
  • October 23, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • October 23, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.


  • May 22, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-7005
    Introduced in House

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HR 116-4617: Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy Act
  • HR 116-3873: Foreign Influence Reporting in Elections Act
  • HR 116-4703: DEFEND Act
  • S 116-2242: Foreign Influence Reporting in Elections Act
  • HR 116-4612: Firewall Act
Accounting and auditingAdministrative law and regulatory proceduresCivil actions and liabilityCongressional electionsCongressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal procedure and sentencingDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadElections, voting, political campaign regulationFraud offenses and financial crimesGovernment ethics and transparency, public corruptionGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsImmigration status and proceduresInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaLicensing and registrationsNews media and reportingPhotography and imagingPolitical advertisingPublic participation and lobbyingSound recordingSubversive activitiesVoting rights

SHIELD Act

USA116th CongressS-2669| Senate 
| Updated: 10/23/2019
Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy Act or the SHIELD Act This bill establishes a duty to report election interference from foreign entities, applies existing campaign advertising requirements to online advertisements, and generally limits political spending and election interference by foreign entities. Specifically, a political committee must report certain foreign contacts involving an offer of unlawful election assistance to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Election Commission. The bill establishes criminal penalties for violations of these requirements. Existing requirements for political advertisements and electioneering communications apply to internet and digital advertisements, including requirements related to disclosures and contributions. Additionally, large online platforms must maintain a public database of certain political advertisements. The bill places limitations on political spending by foreign entities. Specifically, foreign entities may not (1) contribute to campaigns related to ballot initiatives and referenda, or (2) make disbursements for certain internet activity referring to a candidate or a political issue. A candidate is prohibited from offering to share nonpublic campaign information with certain foreign entities. The bill also prohibits (1) the dissemination of false statements regarding federal elections or public endorsement, or (2) the intentional hindering of voting or registering to vote. The bill establishes criminal penalties and a private right of action with respect to these prohibitions.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Oct 23, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Oct 23, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
May 22, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-7005
Introduced in House
  • October 23, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • October 23, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.


  • May 22, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-7005
    Introduced in House
Amy Klobuchar

Amy Klobuchar

Democratic Senator

Minnesota

Cosponsors (26)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Tom Udall (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Jack Reed (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Kamala D. Harris (Democratic)Thomas R. Carper (Democratic)Mark R. Warner (Democratic)Angus S. King (Independent)Robert P. Casey (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Jon Tester (Democratic)Michael F. Bennet (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Benjamin L. Cardin (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Rules and Administration Committee

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HR 116-4617: Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy Act
  • HR 116-3873: Foreign Influence Reporting in Elections Act
  • HR 116-4703: DEFEND Act
  • S 116-2242: Foreign Influence Reporting in Elections Act
  • HR 116-4612: Firewall Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Accounting and auditingAdministrative law and regulatory proceduresCivil actions and liabilityCongressional electionsCongressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal procedure and sentencingDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadElections, voting, political campaign regulationFraud offenses and financial crimesGovernment ethics and transparency, public corruptionGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsImmigration status and proceduresInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaLicensing and registrationsNews media and reportingPhotography and imagingPolitical advertisingPublic participation and lobbyingSound recordingSubversive activitiesVoting rights