Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) today announced the introduction of two bills to improve transparency in political spending and limit the influence of foreign actors. As ads plaster the airwaves and campaigns kick into full gear, Americans are often left in the dark about who funds advertisements intended to sway our elections and how our donations are being used. Her proposals would combat special interests’ outsized influence in our elections and increase accountability in political campaigns.

Political Accountability and Transparency Act

Rep. Porter’s Political Accountability and Transparency Act, co-led by Reps. Robert Garcia (D-CA) and Andy Kim (D-NJ), would increase transparency of political spending and help prevent abuses of Americans’ political donations. The bill strengthens guardrails that limit coordination between super PACs and campaigns, improves disclosures on political advertisements, and closes a loophole that enables politicians to use donations for personal expenses.

“Americans deserve to know who funds political campaigns and advertisements that influence our elections, and we deserve to know how our political donations are being spent,” said Congresswoman Porter. “My Political Accountability and Transparency Act will help give Americans confidence that their donations are being used for their intended purpose—not as a politician’s personal slush fund—and it will make it harder for special interests and dark money super PACs to hide their billionaire backers.”

“California voters already benefit from knowing the 3 biggest spenders in election ads, and it’s time to take this transparency to the federal level. By improving funding disclosure, closing loopholes for Super PACs, and stopping politicians from taking personal trips on donors’ dimes, we will ensure our democracy isn’t being run by super PACs and the ultra-wealthy,” said Congressman Robert Garcia.

The Political Accountability and Transparency Act is endorsed by Campaign Legal Center.

Foreign Political Influence Elimination Act

Rep. Porter’s Foreign Political Influence Elimination Act would help block the influence of foreign funds and dark money in American elections. Foreign nationals are prohibited from contributing to political campaigns, but loopholes in campaign finance law provide an avenue for foreigners to influence our elections. This bill would prohibit election spending by foreign-influenced corporations and tighten reporting requirements for registered foreign agents and lobbyists.

“Americans of all political stripes are rightly concerned about foreign influence in our democracy and our elections,” said Congresswoman Porter. “With campaign season well underway, we must do everything we can to prevent foreign nationals and our nation’s enemies from interfering with and influencing our elections. My bill would close loopholes in campaign finance law that enable foreigners and foreign-affiliated organizations to fund political activities, giving Americans confidence that only their voices—and votes—will decide the outcome of our elections.”

The Foreign Political Influence Elimination Act is cosponsored by Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and endorsed by the Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause, End Citizens United/Let America Vote Action Fund, Project On Government Oversight, and Public Citizen. 

Rep. Porter has fought relentlessly to limit the influence of special interests in our elections and protect our democracy throughout her time in Congress. Last year, she reintroduced bipartisan legislation to ban foreign contributions from state and local ballot initiatives, referendums, and recalls. Rep. Porter also co-founded the End Corruption Caucus to reduce the influence of special interests in our democracy. The House approved Rep. Porter’s proposal to strengthen “Truth-in-Testimony” rules in 2021. Witnesses in Congressional hearings must now disclose foreign grants and obligations to outside organizations prior to testifying before Congress. 

###