[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 27, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H5759]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN U.S. ELECTIONS

  (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, the 2016 election and its fallout 
highlighted what many Americans already knew, that special interests 
bankroll candidates in exchange for expected favors down the road and 
loopholes allow foreign governments to influence our elections. Look no 
further than the pervasive impact of Russian-sponsored political ads on 
Facebook in 2016.
  My bill, the REFUSE Act, Repelling Encroachment by Foreigners into 
U.S. Elections, tightens campaign finance laws and lobbyist disclosure 
rules to protect our democracy from foreign influence.
  First, to stem the bleed of special interest money into our 
elections, our bill sets a reasonable limit on foreign ownership within 
corporate PACs and 501(c)(4) nonprofits that spend on our elections. 
Second, the bill tightens reporting requirements for foreign agents and 
gives the Justice Department real enforcement authority to go after the 
bad guys.
  Until we repeal Citizens United, which threw open the floodgates for 
billionaires and special interests to spend unlimited secret money on 
our elections, we need commonsense legislation like the REFUSE Act.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in fortifying our 
democratic Republic against foreign influence.

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