Protecting Ballot Measures From Foreign Influence Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6738
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-16: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-10T12:51:18Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Protecting Ballot Measures From Foreign Influence Act of 2025 aims to prevent foreign nationals from influencing U.S. state and local ballot initiatives and referenda by prohibiting their financial contributions or donations. This extends existing federal restrictions on foreign involvement in elections to these grassroots voting processes.
Key Provisions
- Amendment to Existing Law: The bill modifies Section 319(a)(1)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (which currently bans foreign nationals from contributing to federal, state, or local elections) by adding language to explicitly include "a State or local ballot initiative or ballot referendum" as prohibited activities.
- Effective Date: The changes apply to any contributions or donations made on or after the date the Act is enacted into law.
- Scope: "Ballot initiatives and referenda" refer to voter-driven processes where citizens propose or vote on laws or policies directly on state or local ballots, separate from candidate elections.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Prior to this bill, the Federal Election Campaign Act prohibited foreign nationals (defined as non-U.S. citizens or entities not domiciled in the U.S.) from donating to elections involving candidates for office. This amendment broadens the prohibition to cover non-candidate ballot measures, closing a potential loophole that allowed foreign funding in these areas.
- No new definitions, penalties, or enforcement mechanisms are introduced; it relies on the existing framework of the Act, which is enforced by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The FEC would gain expanded oversight responsibilities for monitoring and enforcing restrictions on state and local ballot measures, potentially increasing administrative workload without additional funding specified in the bill.
- On Citizens: U.S. voters and advocacy groups involved in ballot campaigns may face stricter funding rules, emphasizing domestic sources and reducing the risk of undue foreign sway on local policies (e.g., environmental regulations or social issues).
- On International Relations: The law reinforces U.S. efforts to limit foreign interference in domestic democracy, which could strain relations with countries or entities seeking to influence U.S. policy through ballot measures, but it aligns with broader global norms on election integrity.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Foreign Nationals and Entities: Directly restricted from providing financial support to ballot initiatives or referenda, including individuals, corporations, or governments outside the U.S.
- Domestic Advocacy Groups and Campaigns: Ballot measure organizers (e.g., citizen groups, nonprofits, or political action committees) must ensure all funding complies with the new rules, potentially shifting reliance to U.S.-based donors.
- State and Local Governments: Officials managing ballot processes may need to coordinate more closely with federal enforcers like the FEC to verify compliance.
- Federal Election Commission (FEC): Tasked with implementation and enforcement, affecting its regulatory priorities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Strengthens campaign finance regulations by aligning ballot measures with election prohibitions, potentially leading to more FEC investigations or court challenges over what constitutes a "contribution" in non-candidate contexts. Existing penalties under the Act (fines or imprisonment) would apply.
- Constitutional Implications: Builds on Supreme Court precedents limiting foreign spending in elections (e.g., to protect democratic integrity) while respecting First Amendment rights for domestic participants; it does not alter free speech for U.S. citizens but targets non-citizen influence, which courts have upheld as permissible.
- Political Implications: Could reduce external funding for controversial ballot issues (e.g., those on immigration or trade), promoting more localized debates, but might spark debates over enforcement equity or the definition of "foreign national" in diverse U.S. communities.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (9)
Rep. Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3], Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5], Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3], Rep. Loudermilk, Barry [R-GA-11], Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3], Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38], Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6], Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-16: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
- 2025-12-16: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-16: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Protecting Ballot Measures From Foreign Influence Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-16 — PDF (2 pages)