H.R. 4847: Foreign Political Influence Elimination Act of 2021

117th Congress · introduced 2021-07-29 · Government Operations and Politics · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2021-07-29 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Porter, Katie [D-CA-45] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
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

Foreign Political Influence Elimination Act of 2021

Plain summary

Foreign Political Influence Elimination Act of 2021 This bill expands the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals. It also revises foreign-agent disclosure requirements. Specifically, the bill expands the ban on campaign spending by foreign nationals to include corporations that are subject to specified levels of ownership or control by foreign nationals or governments. The bill prohibits certain types of tax-exempt, foreign-affiliated organizations from taking certain campaign-related actions, such as contributing to a super political action committee. Further, the bill prohibits foreign nationals from (1) participating in the decision-making process regarding an election expenditure, or (2) making contributions in connection with state or local ballot initiatives or referenda. The bill prohibits political committees from accepting direct or bundled contributions from registered foreign agents. Next, the bill 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. In addition, the bill provides the Department of Justice (DOJ) with a mechanism to demand evidence for investigating compliance with FARA. Further, the bill provides for various civil penalties for failing to meet agent registration requirements. The foreign principal of a penalized agent may not pay the imposed fines. DOJ must establish a unit for the investigation and enforcement of FARA. The Government Accountability Office must analyze the effectiveness of FARA enforcement.

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

Foreign Political Influence Elimination Act of 2021

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Porter, Katie [D-CA-45] · 6 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Thomas R. Suozzi (D-NY), Dina Titus (D-NV), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD)

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 (5)

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).
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.
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

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-117hr4847.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/117/hr>

Record fed-us-cong117-hr4847 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong117 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong117