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H.R. 4617: SHIELD Act

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H.R. 4617: SHIELD Act

116th Congress · introduced 2019-10-08 · Government Operations and Politics · Latest: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2019-10-08 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-19] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 3 recorded votes in our records. Latest: House roll call 581 (2019): On Agreeing to the Amendment, HR4617 (2019-10-23), Failed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. 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

SHIELD Act

Plain summary

Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy Act or the SHIELD Act This bill establishes a duty to report election interference from foreign entities, applies existing campaign advertising requirements to online advertisements, and generally limits political spending and election interference by foreign entities. Specifically, a political committee must report certain foreign contacts involving an offer of unlawful election assistance to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Election Commission. The bill establishes criminal penalties for violations of these requirements. This bill establishes that an alien engaging in improper election interference shall be deportable and inadmissible into the United States. Existing requirements for political advertisements and electioneering communications apply to internet and digital advertisements, including requirements related to disclosures and contributions. Additionally, large online platforms must maintain a public database of certain political advertisements. The bill prohibits the distribution of certain deceptive audio or visual media within 60 days of an election. The bill places limitations on political spending by foreign entities. Specifically, foreign entities may not (1) contribute to campaigns related to ballot initiatives and referenda, or (2) make disbursements for certain internet activity referring to a candidate or a political issue. A candidate is prohibited from offering to share nonpublic campaign information with certain foreign entities.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed 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

SHIELD Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Alternatives

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

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-19] · 137 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 4617, SHIELD Act (2019-10-21)

Cosponsors on this site

Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Pete Aguilar (D-CA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Thomas R. Suozzi (D-NY), Marc A. Veasey (D-TX), Joseph D. Morelle (D-NY), Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr. (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), Salud O. Carbajal (D-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Sean Casten (D-IL), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Angie Craig (D-MN), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Richard E. Neal (D-MA), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Donald Norcross (D-NJ) and 77 more.

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-19] reported raising $2.0 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (3)
Ballot initiative
A proposed law or constitutional amendment that citizens place on the ballot by gathering enough voter signatures, so voters decide it directly. About half the states allow some form of it.
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).
Referendum
A vote by the public on a law or measure. Texas statewide propositions are how voters decide on constitutional amendments.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong116-hr4617 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong116 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong116