Kennedy backs Hagerty bill to stop foreign billionaires from meddling in U.S. elections

WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and six colleagues in introducing the Preventing Foreign Interference in American Elections Act, legislation that would close loopholes allowing foreign nationals to quietly spend millions to influence American elections.

"Only Americans should get to participate in American elections-duh. The Preventing Foreign Interference in American Elections Act would safeguard our electoral system from Chinese Communist Party-linked actors and anti-American foreign billionaires trying to game our democratic process," said Kennedy.

"After years of hysteria over Russiagate and alleged foreign influence in American elections, it turns out Democrats have recently benefited from hundreds of millions of dollars in election-related contributions from a shadowy foreign billionaire, sidestepping the federal ban on foreign-national contributions in U.S. elections. This type of influence undermines democracy and self-government here in America, and its staggering scope should be alarming. I'm pleased to reintroduce this commonsense and critical legislation that will put an end to covert foreign influence on our elections and protect Americans' voice in electing their leaders," said Hagerty.

In recent years, investigations have revealed that a foreign billionaire, Hansjorg Wyss, funneled hundreds of millions of dollars through nonprofit networks to influence American elections and ballot initiatives-activity that underscores the urgent need to strengthen the federal ban on foreign-national participation in U.S. elections.

The Preventing Foreign Interference in American Elections Act would:

• Prevent foreign nationals from skirting existing laws by funneling money through U.S.-based nonprofits or intermediaries to influence elections.

• Prohibit foreign funding for ballot harvesting, get-out-the-vote campaigns, and state ballot initiatives.

• Block foreign contributions to election administration activities and political advertising that promotes a U.S. party or candidate.

• Protect Americans' free-speech rights by barring the government from improperly collecting or disclosing nonprofit donor information.

Hagerty's bill strengthens the federal ban on foreign involvement in U.S. elections and reinforces Congress's commitment to keeping America's democratic process free from outside interference.

Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) co-sponsored the bill.

"Americans deserve to participate in elections that are free from foreign influence. We must ensure that foreign entities or adversaries are not able to interfere in American elections by funneling money and ballot harvesting through shadow networks. Foreign interference in the country's elections process threatens the democracy at the heart of our nation," said Blackburn.

"Foreign nationals should not meddle in American elections. I am proud to stand with Senator Hagerty in introducing commonsense legislation to ensure free and fair elections by eliminating foreign influences that seek to undermine our electoral process," said Budd.

"Combating foreign interference in our elections is essential to preserving the integrity of our electoral process and upholding free and fair elections. American citizens should be choosing their representatives without undue influence. I'm proud to join Senator Hagerty in introducing this legislation and look forward to it advancing," said Cruz.

"America's elections should be influenced only by Americans. Foreign elites are pouring money into political campaigns to meddle with our election results and buy Americans off at the ballot box. I'm proud to cosponsor the Preventing Foreign Interference in American Elections Act to close these loopholes and secure our elections," said Lee.

"American voters should determine election outcomes, not foreign adversaries who want to put their finger on the scale. This legislation prevents foreign nationals from influencing our democratic process through financial contributions or organized ballot collection schemes. I'm pleased to support this straightforward measure that protects electoral integrity and ensures Americans remain in control of their own elections," said Lummis.

"American elections are only for American citizens. Neither foreign countries nor their billionaires should be involved in or influencing our elections. The Preventing Foreign Interference in American Elections Act will help protect the integrity of and confidence in our elections by stamping out foreign influence. This legislation is a critical step toward ensuring that the outcomes of our elections are decided solely by the voices of the American people, and I am proud to stand alongside Senator Hagerty in introducing this bill," said Marshall.

Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wis.) introduced the companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"There is no place for foreign influence in American elections. By eliminating the potential for foreign nationals to fund elections operations we are one step closer to securing our democratic process. I am grateful to be working with Senator Hagerty on this issue and look forward to introducing the companion legislation in the House," said Steil.

Full text of the bill is available here.