A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the Shell Company Abuse Act, seeks to amend title 18 of the United States Code. It aims to prohibit the creation or use of a corporation, company, or other entity for the purpose of hiding election contributions and donations made by foreign nationals. The legislation would make it unlawful for owners, officers, attorneys, or incorporation agents to engage in this activity. Violators could face up to five years in prison and fines.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +7
Does this limit or expose the money behind campaigns?
The legislation acts as a campaign finance reform measure by targeting opaque foreign funding channels.
- Scored +6
Does this make elections run better?
The bill enhances election integrity by criminalizing the use of shell companies to hide foreign contributions.
- Scored +5
Does this protect the right to vote?
The bill protects the integrity of elections by preventing concealed foreign financial influence.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Business owners and agents face significant new criminal liability and potential prison time.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Prevention of concealed foreign influence: By making it unlawful to establish or use an entity with the intent to hide prohibited activities of a foreign national, the bill targets the concealment of election contributions and donations (Section 2(a)).
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Increased accountability for officials: The law would hold owners, officers, attorneys, or incorporation agents personally accountable for establishing or using entities to conceal such activities (Section 2(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential for criminal penalties: Individuals acting as owners, officers, attorneys, or incorporation agents could face up to five years in prison and fines if they are found to have violated this provision (Section 2(a)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this limit or expose the money behind campaigns? — The legislation acts as a campaign finance reform measure by targeting opaque foreign funding channels. Does this make elections run better? — The bill enhances election integrity by criminalizing the use of shell companies to hide foreign contributions. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — By prohibiting deceptive entity creation, the bill promotes greater transparency in political financing. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal criminal authority over corporate entity establishment to combat foreign influence.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect the right to vote? — The bill protects the integrity of elections by preventing concealed foreign financial influence.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Business owners and agents face significant new criminal liability and potential prison time.
- 10/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/5/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/1/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/10/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska
Jason CrowDemocrat · Colorado
Gilbert CisnerosDemocrat · California
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Josh GottheimerDemocrat · New Jersey
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York