Restoring Integrity in Elections Act

Homeland Security
1

Restoring Integrity in Elections Act

Purpose:

This bill seeks to overturn the effects of the Citizens United v. FEC decision by reinstating limits on independent expenditures by corporations, unions, and other entities in federal elections. It also aims to increase transparency in political donations and reduce the influence of “dark money” in politics.

Key Provisions:

  1. Reinstating Limits on Corporate and Union Spending

    • Prohibit corporations, unions, and nonprofit organizations from using general treasury funds for independent expenditures or electioneering communications that directly support or oppose federal candidates.

    • Reinstate provisions from the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) that limited corporate and union spending on political advertising within 30 days of a primary or 60 days of a general election

  2. Creation of Public Financing Options:

    • Establish a voluntary public financing system for federal campaigns, providing matching funds for small-dollar donations to encourage grassroots fundraising over large corporate contributions.

    • Candidates who opt into public financing would agree to spending limits and restrictions on accepting outside contributions.

  3. Enhanced Disclosure Requirements:

    • Mandate full disclosure of all donors contributing to political action committees (PACs) and Super PACs, including any intermediary organizations used to funnel money into campaigns.

    • Require real-time reporting of contributions over $1,000 to ensure transparency throughout the election cycle.

  4. Ban on Foreign-Influenced Spending:

    • Strengthen prohibitions against foreign nationals, foreign corporations, and foreign-influenced entities from making political contributions or expenditures in U.S. elections.

  5. Closing Loopholes for "Dark Money:

    • Require any organization spending more than $10,000 on political activities in an election cycle to disclose its donors publicly.

    • Close loopholes that allow 501(c) “social welfare” organizations to engage in political spending without disclosing their donors.

Rationale:

The Citizens United decision opened the floodgates for unlimited corporate and union spending in elections under the guise of free speech. This has led to an influx of “dark money” into politics, where wealthy individuals and special interest groups can influence elections without full transparency. By reinstating limits on corporate and union spending, increasing transparency, and promoting small-dollar donations through public financing, this bill would help restore public trust in the electoral process and reduce the outsized influence of money in politics.

Citations:

13 Years of Impact: The Long Reach of ‘Citizens United’ https://www.ncsl.org/state-legislatures-news/details/13-years-of-impact-the-long-reach-of-citizens-united
More money, less transparency: A decade under Citizens United https://www.opensecrets.org/news/reports/a-decade-under-citizens-united
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission - Britannica Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission | Opinion, Dissent, Significance, & Influence | Britannica Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act - Wikipedia Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act - Wikipedia
Citizens United v. FEC - Wikipedia Citizens United v. FEC - Wikipedia