hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Expands campaign finance disclosure rules and restricts foreign spending in U.S. elections.
Mr. Pappas (D-NH) and many co-sponsors.
Introduced in committee, no House vote yet.
This bill, titled the DISCLOSE Act of 2026, seeks to increase transparency in political spending by requiring many organizations to reveal their donors for certain election-related ads. It also expands the ban on foreign money in U.S. elections to include online ads and state ballot measures. Sponsored by Democratic Congressman Chris Pappas of New Hampshire, the bill has just been introduced and must pass through committees and both chambers of Congress to become law.
Introduced Mar 4, 2026
This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on March 4, 2026, and referred to the Committees on House Administration, Ways and Means, and the Judiciary. Before it can be considered for a full House vote, these committees must review and approve it. If it passes the House, it would then move to the Senate for their review and vote, and ultimately to the President for signature.
If this bill passes, you would gain more information about who is financially backing political advertisements, including those related to federal judges. It would explicitly forbid foreign governments and their agents from spending money on state and local ballot initiatives or referenda. Additionally, many organizations that spend over $10,000 on election-related ads, including Super PACs and certain non-profits, would need to disclose their "beneficial owners" and top donors who contribute significant amounts.
Supporters Say
They argue this bill is crucial for an informed public, preventing corruption, and stopping foreign entities from secretly influencing U.S. elections and judicial appointments.
Critics Say
Potential critics might argue that these new disclosure requirements could burden organizations and infringe on free speech rights, or lead to donor harassment.
Supporters of the bill, as highlighted in its findings, believe that timely and complete disclosure of political spending is essential for voters to make informed decisions and hold officials accountable. They also emphasize the need to close loopholes that allow foreign money into U.S. campaigns and to bring transparency to spending on judicial nominations. While the bill text doesn't explicitly state critics' views, campaign finance reforms often face opposition based on concerns about the administrative burden on organizations and potential chilling effects on political speech due to mandatory donor disclosure.