Issue One Praises Bipartisan Passage of the Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act

Today, the House of Representatives passed the Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act (H.R. 3535) to ban foreign money in state and local ballot measures — a reform the Federal Election Commission has been unanimously encouraging Congress to make for years. Championed by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Jared Golden (D-ME), this bill passed by voice vote. In response to its passage, Issue One’s Money in Politics Director Michael Beckel issued the following statement:

“Today’s vote makes it clear that nobody wants foreign money in U.S. elections. The bipartisan Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act gives Americans much-needed confidence that our adversaries cannot buy influence in state and local ballot measures. This legislation ensures that limits to foreign money are applied consistently, including citizen-led ballot efforts, because the American people should decide elections — not foreign agents.

“We’re grateful for the leadership of Reps. Fitzpatrick and Golden, who have proven that bipartisan action to protect our elections from foreign interference is not just possible, it’s popular. Issue One applauds their effort to ensure foreign money doesn’t flow into elections at any level and close a campaign finance loophole that the Federal Election Commission has wanted Congress to shut for years.

“It is incumbent upon the Senate to move swiftly to pass this bill and send it to President Trump’s desk for his signature. This bipartisan legislation closes a dangerous loophole and sends a clear message that American democracy is not for sale.”

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Issue One is the leading crosspartisan political reform group in Washington, D.C. We unite Republicans, Democrats, and independents in the movement to fix our broken political system and build an inclusive democracy that works for everyone.