Green Bay Reporter

Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Katie Porter (D-CA) have introduced legislation, supported by seven colleagues, aimed at preventing foreign funding from influencing state and local ballot initiatives, referendums, and recalls. The bill, titled the Stop Foreign Interference in Ballot Measures Act, seeks to close a legal loophole that allows foreign entities to donate to these political processes. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) plans to introduce companion legislation in the Senate.

The current loophole in federal election law permits foreign donations to influence ballot measures, referendums, and recalls at the state or local level. This has raised concerns about the potential for foreign governments and corporations to exert influence on American laws and democracy.

In Maine, for example, a Canadian utility company spent $22 million to lobby voters on ballot measures related to a transmission project that would have generated significant profit for the company. Similarly, an Australian mining company spent nearly $300,000 in 2018 to sway the results of a referendum in Montana that aimed to address water pollution from mining.

Rep. Gallagher highlights the need to close this loophole, stating, "It is illegal for foreign entities to donate to American politicians or political campaigns, but a legal loophole currently allows them to donate to state and local ballot referenda and meddle in key political processes." He emphasizes that the bipartisan bill is a common-sense approach to preventing America's adversaries from corrupting the political process with foreign money and influence.

Rep. Porter echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that "our elections are for Americans to make their voices heard—not foreign interests." She underscores the need to eliminate loopholes in federal election law that allow foreign governments and corporations to funnel significant amounts of money to sway state and local ballot measures. Rep. Porter emphasizes that both Democrats and Republicans agree that this kind of corruption has no place in American politics.

Senator Gillibrand also supports the bill, stating that "foreign governments and corporations should not be able to exert influence on our laws and democracy." She emphasizes the dangers of loopholes that allow foreign nationals to fund ballot initiatives and calls for swift action to close them. The Stop Foreign Interference in Ballot Measures Act aims to protect elections by banning foreign donations for ballot measures and recall elections.

The legislation has garnered support from various organizations, including the Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause, End Citizens United / Let America Vote Action Fund, Public Citizen, and Take Back Our Republic Action. The Federal Elections Commission has also identified closing this loophole as a top priority for legislative action.

This is not the first time Rep. Gallagher has taken steps to protect elections from foreign influence. He previously introduced a bipartisan bill to prevent foreign interference in future elections and improve the transparency of online political advertisements. He was also a co-sponsor of a bill in 2021 that aimed to prohibit the disbursement of federal funds to state and local governments that allow non-citizens to vote in any federal, state, or local election.

With the introduction of the Stop Foreign Interference in Ballot Measures Act, Reps. Gallagher and Porter, along with their colleagues, are taking a bipartisan approach to safeguarding the integrity of state and local elections. By closing the loophole that allows foreign entities to donate to ballot measures, the bill aims to preserve the democratic process and ensure that American voices are the ones shaping the future of their communities and states.

To learn more, click on this link: https://gallagher.house.gov/media/press-releases/gallagher-porter-introduce-bill-crack-down-foreign-influence-state-and-local