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Preventing Foreign Interference in American Elections Act

USA119th CongressHR-8721| House 
| Updated: 5/11/2026
Bryan Steil

Bryan Steil

Republican Representative

Wisconsin

Committee on House Administration, Oversight and Government Reform Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill significantly amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 by expanding the prohibition on foreign money in U.S. elections to include funds used for activities such as voter registration , ballot collection , voter identification , and get-out-the-vote efforts . The legislation also explicitly bans foreign money for public communications referring to political parties and for the administration of federal, state, or local elections. Furthermore, it makes it unlawful to knowingly aid or facilitate such violations and clarifies that indirect contributions, made through intermediaries or with specific instructions, are also prohibited. To enhance enforcement, the bill allows individuals accused of violations to submit a certification under penalty of perjury as a defense, which the Federal Election Commission (FEC) must consider. It also limits the scope of FEC investigations to only the factual matter necessary to determine if a violation occurred, allowing petitions to quash subpoenas that exceed this scope. Additionally, political committees and other entities making independent expenditures or electioneering communications must now certify, under penalty of perjury, that their activities comply with the foreign money ban. Beyond election finance, the legislation introduces new protections for the privacy of donors to tax-exempt organizations . It restricts federal government entities from collecting or publicly disclosing donor identification information, with specific exceptions for agencies like the IRS, FEC, and congressional clerks acting lawfully, or pursuant to court orders. Unauthorized disclosure of donor information by federal officers or employees is made a felony, punishable by significant fines, imprisonment, and dismissal from office.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-8399
Preventing Foreign Interference in American Elections Act
Nov 6, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-3129
Introduced in Senate
May 11, 2026
Introduced in House
May 11, 2026
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-8399
    Preventing Foreign Interference in American Elections Act


  • November 6, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-3129
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 11, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • May 11, 2026
    Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Preventing Foreign Interference in American Elections Act

USA119th CongressHR-8721| House 
| Updated: 5/11/2026
This bill significantly amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 by expanding the prohibition on foreign money in U.S. elections to include funds used for activities such as voter registration , ballot collection , voter identification , and get-out-the-vote efforts . The legislation also explicitly bans foreign money for public communications referring to political parties and for the administration of federal, state, or local elections. Furthermore, it makes it unlawful to knowingly aid or facilitate such violations and clarifies that indirect contributions, made through intermediaries or with specific instructions, are also prohibited. To enhance enforcement, the bill allows individuals accused of violations to submit a certification under penalty of perjury as a defense, which the Federal Election Commission (FEC) must consider. It also limits the scope of FEC investigations to only the factual matter necessary to determine if a violation occurred, allowing petitions to quash subpoenas that exceed this scope. Additionally, political committees and other entities making independent expenditures or electioneering communications must now certify, under penalty of perjury, that their activities comply with the foreign money ban. Beyond election finance, the legislation introduces new protections for the privacy of donors to tax-exempt organizations . It restricts federal government entities from collecting or publicly disclosing donor identification information, with specific exceptions for agencies like the IRS, FEC, and congressional clerks acting lawfully, or pursuant to court orders. Unauthorized disclosure of donor information by federal officers or employees is made a felony, punishable by significant fines, imprisonment, and dismissal from office.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-8399
Preventing Foreign Interference in American Elections Act
Nov 6, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-3129
Introduced in Senate
May 11, 2026
Introduced in House
May 11, 2026
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-8399
    Preventing Foreign Interference in American Elections Act


  • November 6, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-3129
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 11, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • May 11, 2026
    Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Bryan Steil

Bryan Steil

Republican Representative

Wisconsin

Committee on House Administration, Oversight and Government Reform Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted