Rep. Wild Votes to Strengthen Our Democracy, Prevent Foreign Interference in Our Elections

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Susan Wild (PA-07) voted to pass H.R. 4617, the Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy (SHIELD) Act. This comprehensive legislation would close loopholes that allow foreign spending in our elections, boost disclosure and transparency requirements, and create a duty to report illicit offers of campaign assistance from foreign nations or governments.

“The American people should be the sole influencers and deciders of our election outcomes,” Wild said. “We cannot allow the sanctity of our democracy to be compromised by dark money and foreign interests. At the start of this Congress, our first order of business was to restore integrity to our election systems through H.R. 1, and this bill expands on that effort. I’m proud to support this vital legislation to ensure transparent voting procedures and secure the American people’s power at the ballot box. 

Specifically, the SHIELD Act would:

• Create a duty to report illicit offers of campaign assistance from foreign governments and their agents.​
• Help prevent foreign interference in future elections by improving transparency of online political advertisements.
• Close loopholes that allow foreign nationals and foreign governments to spend in U.S. elections.
• Restrict exchange of campaign information between candidates and foreign governments and their agents.
• Prohibit deceptive practices about voting procedures.

The SHIELD Act is supported by thirty-six leading national security and reform organizations including Common Cause, the Brennan Center for Justice, People for the American Way, Democracy 21, NAACP, Public Citizen, End Citizens United Action Fund, Franciscan Action Network, and the Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice.

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