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H.R. 6249: Repelling Encroachment by Foreigners into U.S. Elections Act

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H.R. 6249: Repelling Encroachment by Foreigners into U.S. Elections Act

115th Congress · introduced 2018-06-27 · Government Operations and Politics · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2018-06-27 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Repelling Encroachment by Foreigners into U.S. Elections Act

Plain summary

Repelling Encroachment by Foreigners into U.S. Elections Act or the REFUSE Act This bill (1) expands the ban on contributions by foreign nationals to elections to include corporations subject to specified levels of ownership or control by foreign nationals or governments; (2) prohibits certain types of tax-exempt, foreign-affiliated organizations from taking certain campaign-related actions, such as contributing to a super political action committee (super PAC); and (3) prohibits foreign nationals from participating in the decision-making process with regard to any person's election-related activities. The bill also makes various changes to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (FARA), such as by (1) repealing an exemption from FARA requirements for individuals registered as lobbyists, and (2) expanding filing and labeling requirements related to the transmission of informational materials in the interests of a foreign principal.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Repelling Encroachment by Foreigners into U.S. Elections Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

AI explanation – may be wrong, check the official text

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9] · 24 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), André Carson (D-IN), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Judy Chu (D-CA), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Adam Smith (D-WA), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), John Garamendi (D-CA), Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), Mike Quigley (D-IL)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9] reported raising $5.9 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (3)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Exemption
A rule that removes certain people, property or activities from a tax or requirement.
Political action committee (PAC)
A committee that raises and spends money to support or oppose candidates. PACs that give directly to federal candidates have contribution limits and report to the Federal Election Commission.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong115-hr6249 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115