[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4472 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 4472

To promote election integrity, voter confidence, and faith in elections 
        by protecting political speech, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              July 6, 2023

Mr. Armstrong introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on 
 Ways and Means, Financial Services, and Oversight and Accountability, 
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case 
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of 
                        the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To promote election integrity, voter confidence, and faith in elections 
        by protecting political speech, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``First Amendment Protection Act''.

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    The table of contents of this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of Contents.
                  TITLE I--PROTECTING POLITICAL SPEECH

Sec. 101. Findings.
Sec. 102. Repeal of limits on coordinated political party expenditures.
Sec. 103. Repeal of limit on aggregate contributions by individuals.
Sec. 104. Equalization of contribution limits to State and national 
                            political party committees.
Sec. 105. Expansion of permissible Federal election activity by State 
                            and local political parties.
Sec. 106. Participation in joint fundraising activities by multiple 
                            political committees.
Sec. 107. Protecting privacy of donors to tax-exempt organizations.
Sec. 108. Reporting requirements for tax-exempt organizations.
Sec. 109. Maintenance of standards for determining eligibility of 
                            section 501(c)(4) organizations.
    TITLE II--PROHIBITION ON USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS FOR CONGRESSIONAL 
                               CAMPAIGNS

Sec. 111. Prohibiting use of Federal funds for payments in support of 
                            congressional campaigns.
           TITLE III--REGISTRATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Sec. 121. Electronic filing of electioneering communication reports.
Sec. 122. Increased qualifying threshold and establishing purpose for 
                            political committees.
Sec. 123. Increased threshold with respect to independent expenditure 
                            reporting requirement.
Sec. 124. Increased qualifying threshold with respect to candidates.
Sec. 125. Repeal requirement of persons making independent expenditures 
                            to report identification of certain donors.
TITLE IV--EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN AMOUNTS FROM TREATMENT AS CONTRIBUTIONS 
                            OR EXPENDITURES

Sec. 131. Increased threshold for exemption of certain amounts as 
                            contributions.
Sec. 132. Exemption of uncompensated internet communications from 
                            treatment as contribution or expenditure.
Sec. 133. Media exemption.
     TITLE V--PROHIBITION ON ISSUANCE OF REGULATIONS ON POLITICAL 
                             CONTRIBUTIONS

Sec. 141. Prohibition on issuance of regulations on Political 
                            Contributions.
                   TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 151. Permanent extension of fines for qualified disclosure 
                            requirement violations.
Sec. 152. Permitting political committees to make disbursements by 
                            methods other than check.
Sec. 153. Designation of individual authorized to make campaign 
                            committee disbursements in event of death 
                            of candidate.
Sec. 154. Prohibiting aiding or abetting making of contributions in 
                            name of another.
Sec. 155. Unanimous consent of Commission members required for 
                            Commission to refuse to defend actions 
                            brought against Commission.
Sec. 156. Federal Election Commission member pay.
Sec. 157. Uniform statute of limitations for proceedings to enforce 
                            Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.
Sec. 158. Repeal of obsolete provisions of law.
Sec. 159. Deadline for promulgation of proposed regulations.

                  TITLE I--PROTECTING POLITICAL SPEECH

SEC. 101. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) The structure of the Constitution and its amendments 
        represents the radical idea that any sovereign power exercised 
        by the Federal Government flows either directly from the people 
        or through the States they established to govern themselves. In 
        the words of the Ninth and Tenth Amendments, ``[t]he 
        enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not 
        be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the 
        people.'' ``The powers not delegated to the United States by 
        the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are 
        reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.''.
            (2) Among the many freedoms it protects, the First 
        Amendment prevents Congress from making any law abridging the 
        freedom of speech, the right of the people peaceably to 
        assemble, or the right of the people to petition the Government 
        for the redress of grievances.
            (3) Any proposed Federal action concerning freedom of 
        speech, protest, or petition must start with an analysis of the 
        First Amendment. Congress must ask whether the proposed action 
        would abridge these freedoms, and any uncertainty must be 
        determined in favor of fewer restrictions on speech.
            (4) In particular, political speech, uttered in the 
        furtherance of self-government, must raise an even higher bar 
        to congressional abridgement. The mechanisms and media used to 
        offer political speech must realize the same protections.
            (5) As the Supreme Court has recognized, the Constitution 
        grants Congress only a very narrow interest in the regulation 
        of political speech, the prevention of corruption or the 
        appearance of corruption.
            (6) In order to uphold and effectuate the Constitution, any 
        Federal statute that goes beyond this interest must be 
        repealed, and Congress must exercise its article 1 authorities 
        to do so.

SEC. 102. REPEAL OF LIMITS ON COORDINATED POLITICAL PARTY EXPENDITURES.

    (a) Repeal of Limits.--Section 315(d) of the Federal Election 
Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30116(d)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking ``may make expenditures'' and 
                inserting ``may make expenditures, including 
                coordinated expenditures,''; and
                    (B) by striking ``Federal office, subject to the 
                limitations contained in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) 
                of this subsection'' and inserting ``Federal office in 
                any amount''; and
            (2) by striking paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5).
    (b) Clarifying Treatment of Certain Party Communications as 
Coordinated Expenditures.--Section 315(d) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
30116(d)), as amended by subsection (a), is amended by adding at the 
end the following new paragraph:
    ``(2) For purposes of this subsection, if a public communication 
paid for by a committee of a political party or its agent refers to a 
clearly identified House or Senate candidate and is publicly 
distributed or otherwise publicly disseminated in the clearly 
identified candidate's jurisdiction, the communication shall be treated 
as a coordinated expenditure in connection with the campaign of a 
candidate for purposes of this subsection.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendment Relating to Indexing.--Section 315(c) of 
such Act (52 U.S.C. 30116(c)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(B)(i), by striking ``(d),''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2)(B)(i), by striking ``subsections (b) 
        and (d)'' and inserting ``subsection (b)''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to elections held during 2024 or any succeeding 
year.

SEC. 103. REPEAL OF LIMIT ON AGGREGATE CONTRIBUTIONS BY INDIVIDUALS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that the Supreme Court of the United 
States in McCutcheon v. FEC, 572 U.S. 185 (2014) determined the 
biennial aggregate limits under section 315(a)(3) of the Federal 
Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30116(a)(3)) to be 
unconstitutional.
    (b) Repeal.--Section 315(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 
1971 (52 U.S.C. 30116(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (3).
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--Section 315(c) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
30116(c)) is amended by striking ``(a)(3),'' each place it appears in 
paragraph (1)(B)(i), (1)(C), and (2)(B)(ii).

SEC. 104. EQUALIZATION OF CONTRIBUTION LIMITS TO STATE AND NATIONAL 
              POLITICAL PARTY COMMITTEES.

    (a) In General.--Section 315(a)(1) of the Federal Election Campaign 
Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30116(a)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``a national political 
        party'' and inserting ``a national or State political party'';
            (2) by adding ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (B);
            (3) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``; or'' and inserting 
        a period; and
            (4) by striking subparagraph (D).
    (b) Contributions by Multicandidate Political Committees.--
            (1) In general.--Section 315(a)(2)(B) of such Act (52 
        U.S.C. 30116(a)(2)(B)) is amended by striking ``a national 
        political party'' and inserting ``a national or State political 
        party''.
            (2) Price index adjustment.--Section 315(c) of such Act (52 
        U.S.C. 30116(c)) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the 
                following new subparagraph:
    ``(D) In any calendar year after 2022--
            ``(i) a threshold established by subsection (a)(2) shall be 
        increased by the percent difference determined under 
        subparagraph (A);
            ``(ii) each amount so increased shall remain in effect for 
        the calendar year; and
            ``(iii) if any amount after adjustment under clause (i) is 
        not a multiple of $100, such amount shall be rounded to the 
        nearest multiple of $100.''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(B)--
                            (i) in clause (i), by striking ``and'' at 
                        the end;
                            (ii) in clause (ii), by striking the period 
                        at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following 
                        new clause:
                    ``(iii) for purposes of subsection (a)(2), calendar 
                year 2023.''.
    (c) Acceptance of Additional Amounts for Certain Accounts.--
            (1) Permitting acceptance of additional amounts in same 
        manner as national parties.--Section 315(a) of such Act (52 
        U.S.C. 30116(a)) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``paragraph 
                (9)'' and inserting ``paragraph (9) or paragraph 
                (10)''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ``paragraph 
                (9)'' and inserting ``paragraph (9) or paragraph 
                (10)''.
            (2) Accounts.--Section 315(a)(9) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
        30116(a)(9)) is amended by striking ``national committee of a 
        political party'' each place it appears in subparagraphs (A), 
        (B), and (C) and inserting ``committee of a national or State 
        political party''.
            (3) State party convention accounts described.--Section 
        315(a) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30116(a)) is amended by adding at 
        the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(10) An account described in this paragraph is a separate, 
segregated account of a political committee established and maintained 
by a State committee of a political party which is used solely to 
defray--
            ``(A) expenses incurred with respect to carrying out State 
        party nominating activities or other party-building 
        conventions;
            ``(B) expenses incurred with respect to providing for the 
        attendance of delegates at a presidential nominating 
        convention, but only to the extent that such expenses are not 
        paid for from the account described in paragraph (9)(A); or
            ``(C) expenses incurred with respect to carrying out local, 
        county, or district conventions or proceedings to elect 
        delegates to a State party convention.''.
    (d) Clarification of Indexing of Amounts To Ensure Equalization of 
Party Contribution Limits.--For purposes of applying section 315(c) of 
such Act (52 U.S.C. 30116(c)) to limits on the amount of contributions 
to political committees established and maintained by a State political 
party, the amendments made by this section shall be considered to have 
been included in section 307 of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 
2002 (Public Law 107-55; 116 Stat. 102).
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to elections held during 2024 or any succeeding 
year.

SEC. 105. EXPANSION OF PERMISSIBLE FEDERAL ELECTION ACTIVITY BY STATE 
              AND LOCAL POLITICAL PARTIES.

    (a) Expansion of Permissible Use of Funds Not Subject to 
Contribution Limits or Source Prohibitions by State and Local Political 
Parties for Federal Election Activity.--Section 323(b)(2) of the 
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30125(b)(2)) is 
amended to read as follows:
            ``(2) Applicability.--Notwithstanding section 301(20), for 
        purposes of paragraph (1), an amount that is expended or 
        disbursed by a State, district, or local committee of a 
        political party shall be considered to be expended or disbursed 
        for Federal election activity only if the committee coordinated 
        the expenditure or disbursement of the amount with a candidate 
        for election for Federal office or an authorized committee of a 
        candidate for election for Federal office.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Fundraising costs.--Section 323(c) of such Act (52 
        U.S.C. 30125(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following 
        new sentence: ``In the case of a person described in subsection 
        (b), the previous sentence applies only if the amount was spent 
        by such person in coordination with a candidate for election 
        for Federal office or an authorized committee of a candidate 
        for election for Federal office, as determined pursuant to 
        regulations promulgated by the Commission for the purpose of 
        determining whether a political party communication is 
        coordinated with a candidate, a candidate's authorized 
        committee, or an agent thereof.''.
            (2) Appearance of federal candidates or officeholders at 
        fundraising events.--Section 323(e)(3) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
        30125(e)(3)) is amended by striking ``subsection (b)(2)(C)'' 
        and inserting ``subsection (b)''.

SEC. 106. PARTICIPATION IN JOINT FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES BY MULTIPLE 
              POLITICAL COMMITTEES.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) While Federal law permits the Federal Election 
        Commission to engage in certain ``gap-filling'' activities as 
        it administers the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, the 
        regulations promulgated by the Federal Election Commission to 
        govern joint fundraising activities of multiple political 
        committees are not tied specifically to any particular 
        provision of the Act, and while these regulations generally 
        duplicate the provisions of the Act, they also impose 
        additional and unnecessary burdens on political committees 
        which seek to engage in joint fundraising activities, such as a 
        requirement for written agreements between the participating 
        committees.
            (2) It is therefore not necessary at this time to direct 
        the Federal Election Commission to repeal the existing 
        regulations which govern joint fundraising activities of 
        multiple political committees, as some political committees may 
        have reasons for following the provisions of such regulations 
        which impose additional and unnecessary burdens on these 
        activities.
    (b) Criteria for Participation in Joint Fundraising Activities.--
Section 302 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 
30102) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(j) Criteria for Participation in Joint Fundraising Activities by 
Multiple Political Committees.--
            ``(1) Criteria described.--Two or more political committees 
        as defined in this Act may participate in joint fundraising 
        activities in accordance with the following criteria:
                    ``(A) The costs of the activities shall be 
                allocated among and paid for by the participating 
                committees on the basis of the allocation among the 
                participating committees of the contributions received 
                as a result of the activities.
                    ``(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a 
                participating committee may make a payment (in whole or 
                in part) for the portion of the costs of the activities 
                which is allocated to another participating committee, 
                and the amount of any such payment shall be treated as 
                a contribution made by the committee to the other 
                participating committee.
                    ``(C) The provisions of section 315(a)(8) regarding 
                the treatment of contributions to a candidate which are 
                earmarked or otherwise directed through an intermediary 
                or conduit shall apply to contributions made by a 
                person to a participating committee which are allocated 
                by the committee to another participating committee.
            ``(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection may 
        be construed to prohibit two or more political committees from 
        participating in joint fundraising activities by designating or 
        establishing a separate, joint committee subject to the 
        registration and reporting requirements of this Act or by 
        publishing a joint fundraising notice.''.

SEC. 107. PROTECTING PRIVACY OF DONORS TO TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Speech Privacy 
Act of 2023''.
    (b) Restrictions on Collection of Donor Information.--
            (1) Restrictions.--An entity of the Federal Government may 
        not collect or require the submission of information on the 
        identification of any donor to a tax-exempt organization.
            (2) Exceptions.--Paragraph (1) does not apply to the 
        following:
                    (A) The Internal Revenue Service, acting lawfully 
                pursuant to section 6033 of the Internal Revenue Code 
                of 1986 or any successor provision.
                    (B) The Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of 
                the House of Representatives, acting lawfully pursuant 
                to section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 
                U.S.C. 1604).
                    (C) The Federal Election Commission, acting 
                lawfully pursuant to section 510 of title 36, United 
                States Code.
                    (D) An entity acting pursuant to a lawful order of 
                a court or administrative body which has the authority 
                under law to direct the entity to collect or require 
                the submission of the information, but only to the 
                extent permitted by the lawful order of such court or 
                administrative body.
    (c) Restrictions on Release of Donor Information.--
            (1) Restrictions.--An entity of the Federal Government may 
        not disclose to the public information revealing the 
        identification of any donor to a tax-exempt organization.
            (2) Exceptions.--Paragraph (1) does not apply to the 
        following:
                    (A) The Internal Revenue Service, acting lawfully 
                pursuant to section 6104 of the Internal Revenue Code 
                of 1986 or any successor provision.
                    (B) The Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of 
                the House of Representatives, acting lawfully pursuant 
                to section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 
                U.S.C. 1604).
                    (C) The Federal Election Commission, acting 
                lawfully pursuant to section 510 of title 36, United 
                States Code.
                    (D) An entity acting pursuant to a lawful order of 
                a court or administrative body which has the authority 
                under law to direct the entity to disclose the 
                information, but only to the extent permitted by the 
                lawful order of such court or administrative body.
                    (E) An entity which discloses the information as 
                authorized by the organization.
    (d) Tax-Exempt Organization Defined.--In this section, a ``tax-
exempt organization'' means an organization which is described in 
section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is exempt from 
taxation under section 501(a) of such Code. Nothing in this subsection 
may be construed to treat a political organization under section 527 of 
such Code as a tax-exempt organization for purposes of this section.
    (e) Penalties.--It shall be unlawful for any officer or employee of 
the United States, or any former officer or employee, willfully to 
disclose to any person, except as authorized in this section, any 
information revealing the identification of any donor to a tax-exempt 
organization. Any violation of this section shall be a felony 
punishable upon conviction by a fine in any amount not exceeding 
$250,000, or imprisonment of not more than 5 years, or both, together 
with the costs of prosecution, and if such offense is committed by any 
officer or employee of the United States, he shall, in addition to any 
other punishment, be dismissed from office or discharged from 
employment upon conviction for such offense.

SEC. 108. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Don't 
Weaponize the IRS Act''.
    (b) Organizations Exempt From Reporting.--
            (1) Gross receipts threshold.--Clause (ii) of section 
        6033(a)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended 
        by striking ``$5,000'' and inserting ``$50,000''.
            (2) Organizations described.--Subparagraph (C) of section 
        6033(a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of clause (v),
                    (B) by striking the period at the end of clause 
                (vi) and inserting a semicolon, and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new clauses:
                            ``(vii) any other organization described in 
                        section 501(c) (other than a private foundation 
                        or a supporting organization described in 
                        section 509(a)(3)); and
                            ``(viii) any organization (other than a 
                        private foundation or a supporting organization 
                        described in section 509(a)(3)) which is not 
                        described in section 170(c)(2)(A), or which is 
                        created or organized in a possession of the 
                        United States, which has no significant 
                        activity (including lobbying and political 
                        activity and the operation of a trade or 
                        business) other than investment activity in the 
                        United States.''.
            (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
        shall apply to taxable years ending after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act.
    (c) Clarification of Application to Section 527 Organizations.--
            (1) In general.--Paragraph (1) of section 6033(g) of the 
        Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``This section'' and inserting 
                ``Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, this 
                section'', and
                    (B) by striking ``for the taxable year.'' and 
                inserting ``for the taxable year in the same manner as 
                to an organization exempt from taxation under section 
                501(a).''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
        shall apply to taxable years ending after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act.
    (d) Reporting of Names and Addresses of Contributors.--
            (1) In general.--Paragraph (1) of section 6033(a) of the 
        Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end 
        the following: ``Except as provided in subsections (b)(5) and 
        (g)(2)(B), such annual return shall not be required to include 
        the names and addresses of contributors to the organization.''.
            (2) Application to section 527 organizations.--Paragraph 
        (2) of section 6033(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is 
        amended--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph 
                (A),
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as 
                subparagraph (C), and
                    (C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the 
                following new subparagraph:
                    ``(B) containing the names and addresses of all 
                substantial contributors, and''.
            (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
        shall apply to taxable years ending after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act.

SEC. 109. MAINTENANCE OF STANDARDS FOR DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY OF 
              SECTION 501(C)(4) ORGANIZATIONS.

    (a) In General.--The Department of the Treasury, including the 
Internal Revenue Service, may not issue, revise, or finalize any 
regulation, revenue ruling, or other guidance not limited to a 
particular taxpayer relating to the standard which is used to determine 
whether an organization is operated exclusively for the promotion of 
social welfare for purposes of section 501(c)(4) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 (including the proposed regulations published at 
78 Fed. Reg. 71535 (November 29, 2013)).
    (b) Application of Current Standards and Definitions.--The standard 
and definitions as in effect on January 1, 2010, which are used to make 
determinations described in subsection (a) shall apply after the date 
of the enactment of this Act for purposes of determining status under 
section 501(c)(4) of such Code of organizations created on, before, or 
after such date.

    TITLE II--PROHIBITION ON USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS FOR CONGRESSIONAL 
                               CAMPAIGNS

SEC. 111. PROHIBITING USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS FOR PAYMENTS IN SUPPORT OF 
              CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGNS.

    No Federal funds, including amounts attributable to the collection 
of fines and penalties, may be used to make any payment in support of a 
campaign for election for the office of Senator or Representative in, 
or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress.

           TITLE III--REGISTRATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

SEC. 121. ELECTRONIC FILING OF ELECTIONEERING COMMUNICATION REPORTS.

    Section 304(a)(11)(A)(i) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 
1971 (52 U.S.C. 30104(a)(11)(A)(i)) is amended by inserting ``or makes, 
or has reason to expect to make, electioneering communications'' after 
``expenditures''.

SEC. 122. INCREASED QUALIFYING THRESHOLD AND ESTABLISHING PURPOSE FOR 
              POLITICAL COMMITTEES.

    (a) In General.--Section 301(4) of the Federal Election Campaign 
Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101(4)) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(4) The term `political committee' means--
                    ``(A) any committee, club, association, or other 
                group of persons, including any local committee of a 
                political party, which receives contributions 
                aggregating in excess of $25,000 during a calendar year 
                or which makes expenditures aggregating in excess of 
                $25,000 during a calendar year and which is under the 
                control of a candidate or has the major purpose of 
                nominating or electing a candidate; or
                    ``(B) any separate segregated fund established 
                under the provisions of section 316(b).''.
    (b) Definition.--Section 301 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30101) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(27) Major purpose of nominating or electing a 
        candidate.--The term `major purpose of nominating or electing a 
        candidate' means, with respect to a group of persons described 
        in paragraph (4)(A)--
                    ``(A) a group whose central organizational purpose 
                is to expressly advocate for the nomination, election, 
                or defeat of a candidate; or
                    ``(B) a group for which the majority of its 
                spending throughout its lifetime of existence has been 
                on contributions, expenditures, or independent 
                expenditures.''.
    (c) Price Index Adjustment for Political Committee Threshold.--
Section 315(c) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30116(c)), as amended by section 
104(b), is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following 
        new subparagraph:
    ``(E) In any calendar year after 2023--
            ``(i) a threshold established by section 301(4)(A) or 
        301(4)(C) shall be increased by the percent difference 
        determined under subparagraph (A);
            ``(ii) each amount so increased shall remain in effect for 
        the calendar year; and
            ``(iii) if any amount after adjustment under clause (i) is 
        not a multiple of $100, such amount shall be rounded to the 
        nearest multiple of $100.''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2)(B)--
                    (A) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'' at the end;
                    (B) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new clause:
                    ``(iv) for purposes of sections 301(4)(A) and 
                301(4)(C), calendar year 2023.''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to elections held during 2024 or any succeeding 
year.

SEC. 123. INCREASED THRESHOLD WITH RESPECT TO INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE 
              REPORTING REQUIREMENT.

    (a) In General.--Section 304(c)(1) of the Federal Election Campaign 
Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30104(c)(1)) is amended by striking ``$250'' and 
inserting ``$1,000''.
    (b) Price Index Adjustment for Independent Expenditure Reporting 
Threshold.--Section 315(c) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 
(52 U.S.C. 30116(c)), as amended by sections 104(b) and 122(c), is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following 
        new subparagraph:
    ``(F) In any calendar year after 2023--
            ``(i) a threshold established by section 304(c)(1) shall be 
        increased by the percent difference determined under 
        subparagraph (A);
            ``(ii) each amount so increased shall remain in effect for 
        the calendar year; and
            ``(iii) if any amount after adjustment under clause (i) is 
        not a multiple of $100, such amount shall be rounded to the 
        nearest multiple of $100.''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2)(B)--
                    (A) in clause (iii), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in clause (iv), by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new clause:
                    ``(v) for purposes of section 304(c)(1), calendar 
                year 2023.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to elections held during 2024 or any succeeding 
year.

SEC. 124. INCREASED QUALIFYING THRESHOLD WITH RESPECT TO CANDIDATES.

    (a) Increase in Threshold.--Section 301(2) of the Federal Election 
Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101(2)) is amended by striking 
``$5,000'' each place it appears and inserting ``$10,000''.
    (b) Price Index Adjustment for Exemption of Certain Amounts as 
Contributions.--Section 315(c) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30116(c)), as 
amended by sections 104(b), 122(c), and 123(b), is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following 
        new subparagraph:
    ``(G) In any calendar year after 2023--
            ``(i) a threshold established by sections 301(2) shall be 
        increased by the percent difference determined under 
        subparagraph (A);
            ``(ii) each amount so increased shall remain for the 2-year 
        period that begins on the first day following the date of the 
        general election in the year preceding the year in which the 
        amount is increased and ending on the date of the next general 
        election; and
            ``(iii) if any amount after adjustment under clause (i) is 
        not a multiple of $100, such amount shall be rounded to the 
        nearest multiple of $100.''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2)(B)--
                    (A) in clause (iv), by striking ``and'' at the end;
                    (B) in clause (v), by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new clause:
                    ``(vi) for purposes of sections 301(2), calendar 
                year 2023.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to elections held during 2024 or any succeeding 
year.

SEC. 125. REPEAL REQUIREMENT OF PERSONS MAKING INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES 
              TO REPORT IDENTIFICATION OF CERTAIN DONORS.

    (a) Repeal.--Section 304(c)(2) of the Federal Election Campaign Act 
of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30104(c)(2)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by adding ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``; and'' and 
        inserting a period; and
            (3) by striking subparagraph (C).
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 304(c)(1) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
30104(c)(1)) is amended by striking ``the information required under 
subsection (b)(3)(A) for all contributions received by such person'' 
and inserting ``the information required under paragraph (2)''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to independent expenditures made on or after the 
date of the enactment of this Act.

TITLE IV--EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN AMOUNTS FROM TREATMENT AS CONTRIBUTIONS 
                            OR EXPENDITURES

SEC. 131. INCREASED THRESHOLD FOR EXEMPTION OF CERTAIN AMOUNTS AS 
              CONTRIBUTIONS.

    (a) Real or Personal Property Exemption.--Section 301(8)(B)(ii) of 
the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101(8)(B)(ii)) 
is amended--
            (1) by striking ``$1,000'' and inserting ``$2,000''; and
            (2) by striking ``$2,000'' and inserting ``$4,000''.
    (b) Travel Expenses Exemption.--Section 301(8)(B)(iv) of the 
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101(8)(B)(iv)) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``$1,000'' and inserting ``$2,000''; and
            (2) by striking ``$2,000'' and inserting ``$4,000''.
    (c) Price Index Adjustment for Exemption of Certain Amounts as 
Contributions.--Section 315(c) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30116(c)), as 
amended by sections 104(b), 122(c), 123(b), and 124(b) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following 
        new subparagraph:
    ``(H) In any calendar year after 2023--
            ``(i) the exemption amounts established by section 
        301(8)(B)(ii) or 301(8)(B)(iv) shall be increased by the 
        percent difference determined under subparagraph (A);
            ``(ii) each amount so increased shall remain for the 2-year 
        period that begins on the first day following the date of the 
        general election in the year preceding the year in which the 
        amount is increased and ending on the date of the next general 
        election; and
            ``(iii) if any amount after adjustment under clause (i) is 
        not a multiple of $100, such amount shall be rounded to the 
        nearest multiple of $100.''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2)(B)--
                    (A) in clause (v), by striking ``and'' at the end;
                    (B) in clause (vi), by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new clause:
                    ``(vii) for purposes of section 301(8)(B)(ii) or 
                301(8)(B)(iv), calendar year 2023.''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to elections held during 2024 or any succeeding 
year.

SEC. 132. EXEMPTION OF UNCOMPENSATED INTERNET COMMUNICATIONS FROM 
              TREATMENT AS CONTRIBUTION OR EXPENDITURE.

    (a) Exemptions.--
            (1) Exemption from treatment as contribution.--Section 
        301(8)(B) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 
        U.S.C. 30101(8)(B)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of clause 
                (xiii);
                    (B) by striking the period at the end of clause 
                (xiv) and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new clause:
            ``(xv) any payment by any person in producing and 
        disseminating any information or communication on the internet, 
        internet platform or other internet-enabled application, unless 
        the information or communication is disseminated for a fee on 
        another person's website, platform or other internet-enabled 
        application, whether coordinated or not.''.
            (2) Exemption from treatment as expenditure.--Section 
        301(9)(B) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30101(9)(B)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of clause (ix);
                    (B) by striking the period at the end of clause (x) 
                and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new clause:
            ``(xi) any cost incurred by any person in producing and 
        disseminating any information or communication on the internet, 
        internet platform or other internet-enabled application, unless 
        the information or communication is disseminated for a fee on 
        another person's website, platform or other internet-enabled 
        application.''.
    (b) Application to Definition of Public Communications.--Section 
301(22) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30101(22)) is amended by adding at the 
end the following: ``In the previous sentence, the terms `public 
communication' and `general public political advertising' do not 
include communications disseminated over the internet or via an 
internet platform or other internet-enabled application, unless the 
communication or advertising is disseminated for a fee on another 
person's website, platform or other internet-enabled application.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to elections held during 2024 or any succeeding 
year.

SEC. 133. MEDIA EXEMPTION.

    (a) Expansion of Exemption to Additional Forms of Media.--Section 
301(9)(B)(i) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 
30101(9)(B)(i)) is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(i) any news story, commentary, or editorial 
                distributed through the facilities of any broadcasting, 
                cable, satellite, or internet-based station, 
                programmer, operator or producer; newspaper, magazine, 
                or other periodical publisher; electronic publisher, 
                platform, or application; book publisher; or filmmaker 
                or film producer, distributor or exhibitor, unless such 
                facilities are owned or controlled by any political 
                party, political committee, or candidate;''.
    (b) Application to Contributions.--Section 301(8)(B) of such Act 
(52 U.S.C. 30101(8)(B)), as amended by section 132(a)(1), is amended--
            (1) by redesignating clauses (i) through (xv) as clauses 
        (ii) through (xvi); and
            (2) by inserting before clause (ii) (as so redesignated) 
        the following new clause:
                    ``(i) any payment for any news story, commentary, 
                or editorial distributed through the facilities of any 
                broadcasting, cable, satellite, or internet-based 
                station, programmer, operator or producer; newspaper, 
                magazine, or other periodical publisher; electronic 
                publisher, platform, or application; book publisher; or 
                filmmaker or film producer, distributor or 
                exhibitor.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to elections held during 2024 or any succeeding 
year.

     TITLE V--PROHIBITION ON ISSUANCE OF REGULATIONS ON POLITICAL 
                             CONTRIBUTIONS

SEC. 141. PROHIBITION ON ISSUANCE OF REGULATIONS ON POLITICAL 
              CONTRIBUTIONS.

    The Securities and Exchange Commission may not finalize, issue, or 
implement any rule, regulation, or order regarding the disclosure of 
political contributions, contributions to tax exempt organizations, or 
dues paid to trade associations.

                   TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 151. PERMANENT EXTENSION OF FINES FOR QUALIFIED DISCLOSURE 
              REQUIREMENT VIOLATIONS.

    Section 309(a)(4)(C)(v) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 
1971 (52 U.S.C. 30109(a)(4)(C)(v)) is amended by striking ``, and that 
end on or before December 31, 2023''.

SEC. 152. PERMITTING POLITICAL COMMITTEES TO MAKE DISBURSEMENTS BY 
              METHODS OTHER THAN CHECK.

    Section 302(h)(1) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 
U.S.C. 30102(h)(1)) is amended by striking ``except by check drawn on 
such accounts in accordance with this section'' and inserting ``except 
from such accounts''.

SEC. 153. DESIGNATION OF INDIVIDUAL AUTHORIZED TO MAKE CAMPAIGN 
              COMMITTEE DISBURSEMENTS IN EVENT OF DEATH OF CANDIDATE.

    (a) In General.--Section 302 of the Federal Election Campaign Act 
of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30102), as amended by section 106(b), is amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(k)(1) Each candidate may, with respect to each authorized 
committee of the candidate, designate an individual who shall be 
responsible for disbursing funds in the accounts of the committee in 
the event of the death of the candidate, and may also designate another 
individual to carry out the responsibilities of the designated 
individual under this subsection in the event of the death or 
incapacity of the designated individual or the unwillingness of the 
designated individual to carry out the responsibilities.
    ``(2) In order to designate an individual under this subsection, 
the candidate shall file with the Commission a signed written statement 
(in a standardized form developed by the Commission) that contains the 
name and address of the individual and the name of the authorized 
committee for which the designation shall apply, and that may contain 
the candidate's instructions regarding the disbursement of the funds 
involved by the individual. At any time after filing the statement, the 
candidate may revoke the designation of an individual by filing with 
the Commission a signed written statement of revocation (in a 
standardized form developed by the Commission).
    ``(3)(A) Upon the death of a candidate who has designated an 
individual for purposes of paragraph (1), funds in the accounts of each 
authorized committee of the candidate may be disbursed only under the 
direction and in accordance with the instructions of such individual, 
subject to the terms and conditions applicable to the disbursement of 
such funds under this Act or any other applicable Federal or State law 
(other than any provision of State law which authorizes any person 
other than such individual to direct the disbursement of such funds).
    ``(B) Subparagraph (A) does not apply with respect to an authorized 
committee if, at the time of the candidate's death, the authorized 
committee has a treasurer or a designated agent of the treasurer as 
described in section 302(a), unless the treasurer or designated agent 
is incapacitated or cannot be reached by the authorized committee.
    ``(C) Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to grant any 
authority to an individual who is designated pursuant to this 
subsection other than the authority to direct the disbursement of funds 
as provided in such paragraph, or may be construed to affect the 
responsibility of the treasurer of an authorized committee for which 
funds are disbursed in accordance with such paragraph to file reports 
of the disbursements of such funds under section 304(a).''.
    (b) Inclusion of Designation in Statement of Organization of 
Committee.--Section 303(b) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30103(b)) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(7) in the case of an authorized committee of a candidate 
        who has designated an individual under section 302(k) 
        (including a second individual designated to carry out the 
        responsibilities of that individual under such section in the 
        event of that individual's death or incapacity or unwillingness 
        to carry out the responsibilities) to disburse funds from the 
        accounts of the committee in the event of the death of the 
        candidate, a copy of the statement filed by the candidate with 
        the Commission under such section (as well as a copy of any 
        subsequent statement of revocation filed by the candidate with 
        the Commission under such section).''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to authorized campaign committees which are 
designated under section 302(e)(1) of the Federal Election Campaign Act 
of 1971 before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 154. PROHIBITING AIDING OR ABETTING MAKING OF CONTRIBUTIONS IN 
              NAME OF ANOTHER.

    Section 320 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 
30122) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``No 
person shall knowingly direct, help, or assist any person in making a 
contribution in the name of another person.''.

SEC. 155. UNANIMOUS CONSENT OF COMMISSION MEMBERS REQUIRED FOR 
              COMMISSION TO REFUSE TO DEFEND ACTIONS BROUGHT AGAINST 
              COMMISSION.

    (a) Unanimous Consent.--Section 307 of the Federal Election 
Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30107) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new subsection:
    ``(f)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Commission shall 
defend each action brought against the Commission under this Act or 
chapter 95 and 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986--
            ``(A) through the general counsel, as provided in 
        subsection (a)(6);
            ``(B) by appointing counsel as provided in section 
        306(f)(4); or
            ``(C) by referral to the Attorney General in the case of a 
        criminal action.
    ``(2) The Commission may refuse to defend an action brought against 
the Commission pursuant to the unanimous vote of its Members.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to actions brought on or after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 156. FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION MEMBER PAY.

    Section 306(a)(4) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 
U.S.C. 30106(a)(4)) is amended by striking ``equivalent to the 
compensation paid at level IV of the Executive Schedule (5 U.S.C. 
5315)'' and inserting ``at an annual rate of basic pay of $186,300, as 
adjusted under section 5318 of title 5, United States Code, in the same 
manner as the annual rate of pay for positions at each level of the 
Executive Schedule''.

SEC. 157. UNIFORM STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR PROCEEDINGS TO ENFORCE 
              FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN ACT OF 1971.

    (a) 5-Year Limitation.--Section 406(a) of the Federal Election 
Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30145(a)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``(a)'' and inserting ``(a)(1)''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(2) No person shall be subject to a civil penalty for any 
violation of title III of this Act unless the proceeding is initiated 
in accordance with section 309 not later than 5 years after the date on 
which the violation occurred.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to violations occurring on or after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 158. REPEAL OF OBSOLETE PROVISIONS OF LAW.

    (a) Provisions Held Unconstitutional.--
            (1) Membership of secretary of senate and clerk of house on 
        federal election commission.--Section 306(a)(1) of the Federal 
        Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30106(a)(1)) is 
        amended by striking ``the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk 
        of the House of Representatives or their designees, ex officio 
        and without the right to vote, and''.
            (2) Choice of independent or coordinated expenditures by 
        political parties.--Section 315(d) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
        30116(d)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (4) and redesignating 
                paragraph (5) as paragraph (4);
                    (B) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated, by 
                striking ``paragraphs (2), (3), and (4)'' and inserting 
                ``paragraphs (2) and (3)''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (1), by striking ``paragraphs (2), 
                (3), and (4)'' and inserting ``paragraphs (2) and 
                (3)''.
            (3) Prohibiting contributions by minors.--The Federal 
        Election Campaign Act of 1971 is amended by striking section 
        324 (52 U.S.C. 30126).
            (4) Increase in contribution limits for candidates in 
        response to personal fund expenditures by opponents.--
                    (A) House candidates.--The Federal Election 
                Campaign Act of 1971 is amended by striking section 
                315A (52 U.S.C. 30117).
                    (B) Senate candidates.--Section 315 of such Act (52 
                U.S.C. 30116) is amended--
                            (i) by striking subsection (i); and
                            (ii) by redesignating subsection (j) as 
                        subsection (i).
                    (C) Conforming amendment relating to 
                notification.--Section 304(a)(6) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
                30104(a)(6)) is amended--
                            (i) by striking subparagraphs (B), (C), and 
                        (D); and
                            (ii) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as 
                        subparagraph (D).
                    (D) Conforming amendment relating to definitions.--
                Section 301(25) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30101(25)) is 
                amended by striking ``For purposes of sections 315(i) 
                and 315A and paragraph (26), the term'' and inserting 
                ``The term''.
                    (E) Other conforming amendment.--Section 315(a)(1) 
                of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30116(a)(1)) is amended by 
                striking ``Except as provided in subsection (i) and 
                section 315A, no person'' and inserting ``No person''.
            (5) Electioneering communications and independent 
        expenditures by corporations and labor organizations.--Section 
        316 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30117) is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``or for any 
                applicable electioneering communication''; and
                    (B) by striking subsection (c).
            (6) Limitation on aggregate amount of contributions by 
        individuals.--Section 315 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30116) is 
        amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (3); 
                and
                    (B) in subsection (c), by striking ``(a)(3),'' each 
                place it appears in paragraph (1)(B)(i), paragraph 
                (1)(C), and paragraph (2)(B)(ii).
            (7) Limitation on repayment of personal loans.--Section 315 
        of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30116) is amended by striking subsection 
        (i), as redesignated by paragraph (4)(B)(ii).
    (b) Provisions Relating to Use of Presidential Election Campaign 
Fund for Party Nominating Conventions.--Section 9008 of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b), by striking paragraph (3); and
            (2) by striking subsections (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), and 
        (h).
    (c) Technical Correction.--Sections 307 and 309 of the Federal 
Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30107 and 30109) are each 
amended by striking ``subpena'' each place it appears and inserting 
``subpoena''.

SEC. 159. DEADLINE FOR PROMULGATION OF PROPOSED REGULATIONS.

    Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Federal Election Commission shall publish in the Federal 
Register proposed regulations to carry out this Act and the amendments 
made by this Act.
                                 <all>