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H.R.4617 - Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy Act116th Congress (2019-2020)

Bill

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Sponsor: Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-19] (Introduced 10/08/2019)
Committees: House - House Administration; Judiciary | Senate - Rules and Administration
Committee Meetings: 10/16/19 2:00PM
Committee Reports: H. Rept. 116-246
Committee Prints: H.Prt. 116-35
Latest Action: Senate - 10/28/2019 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.  (All Actions)
Roll Call Votes: There have been 3 roll call votes

Tracker:

This bill has the status Passed House

Here are the steps for Status of Legislation:

  1. Introduced
  2. Passed House

More on This Bill

  • Constitutional Authority Statement
  • CBO Cost Estimates [1]

Subject — Policy Area:

Summary: H.R.4617 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)All Information (Except Text)

Bill summaries are authored by CRS.

Shown Here:
Passed House (10/23/2019)

Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy Act or the SHIELD Act

This bill establishes a duty to report election interference from foreign entities, applies existing campaign advertising requirements to online advertisements, and generally limits political spending and election interference by foreign entities.

Specifically, a political committee must report certain foreign contacts involving an offer of unlawful election assistance to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Election Commission. The bill establishes criminal penalties for violations of these requirements.

This bill establishes that an alien engaging in improper election interference shall be deportable and inadmissible into the United States.

Existing requirements for political advertisements and electioneering communications apply to internet and digital advertisements, including requirements related to disclosures and contributions. Additionally, large online platforms must maintain a public database of certain political advertisements.

The bill prohibits the distribution of certain deceptive audio or visual media within 60 days of an election.

The bill places limitations on political spending by foreign entities. Specifically, foreign entities may not (1) contribute to campaigns related to ballot initiatives and referenda, or (2) make disbursements for certain internet activity referring to a candidate or a political issue.

A candidate is prohibited from offering to share nonpublic campaign information with certain foreign entities.