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To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the establishment of a corporation to conceal election contributions and donations by foreign nationals.
Summary
This bill creates a new federal criminal offense for establishing or using a corporation or entity to conceal campaign contributions or donations by foreign nationals. Foreign nationals are already prohibited by existing federal law from making contributions or donations in connection with elections. The bill makes it illegal for owners, officers, attorneys, or incorporation agents to knowingly use shell companies or similar entities to hide such prohibited foreign contributions. Violations carry penalties of up to five years in prison, a fine, or both. The provision would be added to Chapter 29 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
- Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1] (D-MO)
5 cosponsors
Actions (2)
- Apr 10, 2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. · house
- Apr 10, 2025 Introduced in House
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Text versions (1)
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Full text
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 10, 2025
Mr. Bell (for himself, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Crow, and Mr. Fitzpatrick) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the establishment of a corporation to conceal election contributions and donations by foreign nationals.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Shell Company Abuse Act”.
SEC. 2. PROHIBITION.
(a) In General.—Chapter 29 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “Sec. 612. Establishment of corporation to conceal election contributions and donations by foreign nationals
“(a) Offense.—It shall be unlawful for an owner, officer, attorney, or incorporation agent of a corporation, company, or other entity to establish or use the corporation, company, or other entity with the intent to conceal an activity of a foreign national (as defined in section 319 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30121)) prohibited under such section 319.
“(b) Penalty.—Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be imprisoned for not more than 5 years, fined under this title, or both.”.
(b) Table of Sections.—The table of sections for chapter 29 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 611 the following:
“612. Establishment of corporation to conceal election contributions and donations by foreign nationals.”. <all>
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