No Foreign Election Partnership Act

Bill Number

H.R. 4866

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-08-01: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Last Updated

2025-09-15T18:08:28Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 4866: No Foreign Election Partnership Act

Purpose

This bill aims to prevent foreign influence in U.S. federal elections by prohibiting federal election agencies from forming agreements with international organizations that involve sharing election data or granting those organizations an advisory role in election processes.

Key Provisions

• Prohibition on Agreements: Federal election agencies are barred from entering any agreement with an international organization if it includes sharing data related to elections or allows the organization to provide advice or guidance to the agency.
• Definition of Federal Election Agency: The term covers the Federal Election Commission (FEC), the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), and any other federal entity responsible for administering elections for federal offices, such as the presidency or Congress.
• Effective Date: The ban takes effect immediately upon the bill becoming law.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This legislation introduces a new outright prohibition on specific types of international agreements for federal election agencies, which were not explicitly banned before. Previously, such agencies might have engaged in voluntary data-sharing or advisory collaborations with international bodies, like those focused on global election standards, but this bill eliminates that option to prioritize domestic control over election administration.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Federal election bodies like the FEC and EAC will face restrictions on international partnerships, potentially limiting access to global best practices or resources for election security and technology, while reducing administrative flexibility.
• On Citizens: U.S. voters and election officials may experience less exposure to international election monitoring or data insights, which could enhance perceptions of election independence but might hinder efforts to address cross-border threats like cyber interference.
• On International Relations: The bill could complicate U.S. cooperation with organizations such as the United Nations or the Organization of American States on democratic initiatives, possibly signaling a more isolationist approach to election governance and straining diplomatic ties in areas like election observation.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Election Agencies: Directly restricted in their operations, including the FEC (which oversees campaign finance) and EAC (which develops voting standards and certifies equipment).
• International Organizations: Entities like the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) or the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) that previously offered advisory support or data exchanges.
• U.S. Election Officials and Voters: Indirectly impacted through changes in how federal elections are administered and protected from external influences.
• Congress and Policymakers: Responsible for overseeing implementation and potential future adjustments to election laws.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: The bill enforces stricter boundaries on federal agency actions, potentially leading to legal challenges if existing international commitments conflict with the new rule; it may require agencies to review and terminate any pre-existing agreements.
• Constitutional Implications: Aligns with Congress's authority under Article I of the U.S. Constitution to regulate federal elections, emphasizing national sovereignty and reducing reliance on foreign entities, though it does not alter core voting rights protections.
• Political Implications: Positions the U.S. as prioritizing domestic election integrity amid concerns over foreign meddling (e.g., in past elections), but it could spark debate over whether isolation from international expertise weakens global democratic standards or election security.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]

Recent Actions

• 2025-08-01: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
• 2025-08-01: Introduced in House
• 2025-08-01: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• No Foreign Election Partnership Act — issued 2025-08-01 — PDF (2 pages)