Fitzpatrick-authored legislation closes a dangerous loophole allowing foreign nationals to finance ballot initiatives, referenda, and recall elections

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act, bipartisan legislation led by Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) and Congressman Jared Golden (D-ME-2) to prohibit foreign nationals from financing state and local ballot initiatives, referenda, and recall elections. 

The legislation, H.R. 3535, now advances to the Senate.

 “The ballot is the instrument by which a free people govern themselves,” said Fitzpatrick. “No foreign government, foreign national, or foreign interest should have a hand in deciding the laws Americans live under. Today’s unanimous vote is an important step in our broader bipartisan work to protect the integrity of our elections, preserve the sovereignty of the American voter, and strengthen public faith in self-government. On this principle, there should be no division and no exception: American elections must be decided by American citizens alone. The Senate should now act with the same unity and send this bill to the President’s desk.” 

Watch Fitzpatrick’s Floor Speech here. 

Federal law already prohibits foreign nationals from financing candidate elections. However, it does not explicitly extend that prohibition to issue-based elections—including ballot initiatives, referenda, and recall elections—that can fundamentally alter the laws and institutions governing American communities.

 The Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act closes that loophole by amending the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit foreign-national contributions or expenditures in connection with any federal, state, or local ballot measure or recall election. 

“Foreign interference does not become less dangerous simply because it is aimed at a referendum instead of a candidate,” Fitzpatrick continued. “A loophole in the law should never become an open door to foreign influence. This bill closes that door and ensures that, at every level of government, the laws Americans live under are shaped by American voices—not foreign money.”

 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.”

Read the text of the bill here.

Fitzpatrick’s Continued Election Reform Leadership

 Congressman Fitzpatrick has long been at the forefront of bipartisan efforts to strengthen election integrity and restore public trust in government. The House passage of the Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act marks the latest advance in that sustained reform agenda, including: 

• The Let America Vote Act – Guarantees the right to vote in all taxpayer-funded elections for U.S. citizens, regardless of political affiliation, and prohibits non-citizen voting.
• The AI Ads Act – Bans the use of artificial intelligence to impersonate candidates or mislead voters.
• The CLEAN Elections Act – Ends partisan gerrymandering by requiring independent redistricting commissions.
• The Bipartisan Restoring Faith in Government Act – Prohibits members of Congress and their families from trading individual stocks.
• The Restoring Faith in Elections Act, Securing Our Elections Act, and Election Day Act – Establish uniform national standards for voter ID, absentee ballots, election security, and create a federal holiday for Election Day.

 Through these commonsense, bipartisan reforms, Congressman Fitzpatrick continues to lead the fight to protect every American vote, defend democratic institutions, and ensure our elections remain free from foreign interference and political manipulation.

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