119-S-3028 Journalist Public Summary
119 · S 3028 Protecting Ballot Measures From Foreign Influence Act of 2025
A new Senate bill would explicitly ban foreign nationals from funding state and local ballot initiatives and referenda, aiming to close a gap federal regulators have flagged; it was introduced on October 22, 2025, and sent to the Senate Rules Committee. [1]Library of Congress — S.3028 — 119th Congress (2025–2026) | Congress.gov[2]Federal Election Commission — FEC transmits 2024 legislative recommendations
Headline Summary
Ban foreign money in state and local ballot measures nationwide by updating federal campaign‑finance law. [1]Library of Congress — S.3028 — 119th Congress (2025–2026) | Congress.gov
What It Does
The bill adds “state or local ballot initiative or referendum” to the existing federal ban on contributions and donations by foreign nationals, making it illegal for foreign nationals to give money to campaigns for or against ballot questions. The change amends Section 319 of the Federal Election Campaign Act (52 U.S.C. § 30121) and would take effect upon enactment. [1]Library of Congress — S.3028 — 119th Congress (2025–2026) | Congress.gov[3]Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School) — 52 U.S.C. § 30121 — Contribu…
Who’s For It
- Sen. Jim Banks (R‑IN), sponsor. [1]Library of Congress — S.3028 — 119th Congress (2025–2026) | Congress.gov
- Sen. Bill Cassidy (R‑LA), original cosponsor. [1]Library of Congress — S.3028 — 119th Congress (2025–2026) | Congress.gov
- Federal Election Commission (institutional stance): in 2022 and again in 2024, the FEC unanimously urged Congress to extend the foreign‑national ban to ballot initiatives, referenda, and recalls. [5]Web search · turn 2 #0[2]Federal Election Commission — FEC transmits 2024 legislative recommendations
Who’s Against It
No formal opposition has been recorded on this specific bill yet, but debates around similar measures highlight likely concerns:
- Free‑speech concerns: Courts reviewing state‑level bans (for example, in Maine) have questioned whether broad restrictions could chill the speech of U.S. companies with some foreign ownership. [6]Associated Press — Maine can’t enforce foreign election‑interference law, appea…[7]Maine Public — Federal appeals court says Maine’s foreign‑electioneering law is…
- Scope and enforcement: Past FEC matters show disagreements over when a ballot campaign is sufficiently tied to a candidate election to trigger existing federal prohibitions, suggesting line‑drawing will matter. [4]Federal Election Commission — FEC update (Week of Nov 1–5, 2021) — MUR 7523 (Mo…
What’s Next
Status: Introduced October 22, 2025; read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. If approved there, it would move to the full Senate, then the House. [1]Library of Congress — S.3028 — 119th Congress (2025–2026) | Congress.gov
- [1] S.3028 — 119th Congress (2025–2026) | Congress.gov Library of Congress
- [2] FEC transmits 2024 legislative recommendations Federal Election Commission
- [3] 52 U.S.C. § 30121 — Contributions and donations by foreign nationals Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School)
- [4] FEC update (Week of Nov 1–5, 2021) — MUR 7523 (Montana ballot initiative) Federal Election Commission
- [5] Web search · turn 2 #0
- [6] Maine can’t enforce foreign election‑interference law, appeals court says Associated Press
- [7] Federal appeals court says Maine’s foreign‑electioneering law is likely unconstitutional Maine Public
Discussion