DON’T MESS WITH US key legislation_
Bills to prevent foreign disruption in our political system.
The Honest Ads Act
Stop online disinformation campaigns. During the 2016 elections, groups linked to the Russian government spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on online political advertisements — on Facebook, Google, and Twitter — designed to stoke division and undermine faith in American democracy. The Honest Ads Act would combat hidden, foreign disinformation campaigns on the largest online platforms.
Implements a disclosure system for paid, online political advertising closely modeled on longstanding Federal Communications Commission rules for paid political advertising on television and radio.
Safeguards free speech and the free marketplace of ideas by applying the same rules to everyone.
Supported by Facebook, Google, IBM, Microsoft, and Twitter and 115 former members of Congress from both parties.
Sponsors: 39
Republicans: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Rep. John Katko (R-NY), Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI), Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Rep. David McKinley (R-WV), Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN), Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), Rep. Peter King (R-NY), Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX), Rep. Gregory Steube (R-FL), Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL), Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE)
Democrats: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD), Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-NY), Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL), Rep. Thomas Suozzi (D-NY), Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Rep. Bradley Schneider (D-IL), Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA), Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR), Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN), Rep. Lori Trahan (D-MA), Rep. Anthony Brindisi (D-NY), Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA)
The Secure Elections Act
Strengthen election security and protect the vote. It’s time to streamline and strengthen our cybersecurity and election capabilities between federal intelligence entities and state election agencies. The Secure Elections Act would safeguard our political system while reaffirming states’ roles in administering federal elections. Portions of the act passed at the end of 2019, including $425 million in election security money.
Delegates primary responsibility for sharing information about election cybersecurity incidents, threats, and vulnerabilities to the Department of Homeland Security.
Protects the integrity of the vote by promoting the use of paper ballots and post-election audits.
Requires the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to establish a panel of independent experts to develop guidelines for election security — and then distribute grants to states and election agencies to implement these guidelines.
Sponsors: 13
Republicans: Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD), Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS)
Democrats: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), Sen. Angus King (I-ME), Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
The DETER Act
Prevent future attacks on our political system. Peace through strength. The DETER Act imposes crippling sanctions against countries that interfere in our elections. Provisions of the act were included in the National Defense Authorization Act.
Requires the Director of National Intelligence to submit a report to Congress about whether a foreign government interfered in U.S. elections within 60 days after every federal election.
Mandates severe sanctions against Russia, specifically, if it is found to have interfered, within 30 days of that report.
Directs the administration to submit a strategy to deter potential election interference by China, Iran, and North Korea, among other foreign governments that are likely to disrupt U.S. elections.
Sponsors: 12
Republicans: Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE), Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO), Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ)
Democrats: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
The Foreign Agents Disclosure and Registration Enhancement Act
Close foreign lobbying loopholes. Despots and dictators abuse our lax lobbying laws to wage hidden influence campaigns throughout the United States. The Foreign Agents Disclosure Registration Enhancement Act:
Requires the Department of Justice to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to improve enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
Establishes civil penalties for those who break the law and modernizes criminal enforcement provisions within existing regulations.
Directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct an analysis of current lobbying rules and guidelines, and their effectiveness.
Sponsors: 7
Republicans: Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Sen. Todd Young (R-IN), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Democrats: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
The Shell Company Abuse Act
Keep foreign money out of our elections. Foreign actors could already be funneling money into our political system — and we would never know. The Shell Company Abuse Act would ensure Russia, China, Iran, and others could not hide behind our tax laws while they subvert our elections.
Makes it a felony for an owner, officer, attorney, or incorporation agent of a corporation, company, or business entity to establish or use a corporation, company, or business entity to conceal illegal political activity by a foreign national.
Sponsors: 5
Republicans: Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Democrats: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)