Robert Garcia (D-CA)
Stop Ballroom Bribery Act
A Democratic bill with 14 Democratic cosponsors · See all 14 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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
The Stop Ballroom Bribery Act aims to prevent corruption by limiting donations for specific public properties and events. This includes work on or near the White House and Number One Observatory Circle, as well as monuments for certain high-ranking officials. The bill restricts donations from people involved in litigation, government investigations, or seeking federal contracts and appointments. It also requires strict approval processes involving the National Park Service and the Office of Government Ethics. Furthermore, it mandates transparency through quarterly reports and disclosures of meetings with officials. Finally, the act establishes significant civil and criminal penalties for those who violate these rules.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +8
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates quarterly reports in the Federal Register and disclosure of meetings with high-ranking officials.
- Scored +2
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill aims to prevent corruption and undue influence of government contracts through donations.
- Scored +2
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The bill implements strict oversight for donations related to the maintenance of public property and monuments.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill imposes strict donation bans and a two-year lobbying cooling-off period for those seeking government business.
- Scored -2
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill requires donors to disclose meetings and communications with high-ranking officials.
- Scored -1
Does this change how police departments operate?
The bill focuses on executive corruption rather than police department operations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Transparency: The bill requires the National Park Service to publish quarterly reports in the Federal Register detailing donations, including the identity of contributors and circumstances of acceptance (Section 2(d)(2)).
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Prevention of Conflicts of Interest: By prohibiting donations from individuals seeking government contracts, grants, pardons, or federal appointments, the bill aims to prevent people from using money to influence official actions (Section 2(b)(2)(A)).
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Mandatory Meeting Disclosures: Donors must disclose any meetings or communications with the President, Vice President, or their families that occurred around the time of a donation, which helps track potential influence (Section 2(d)(1)).
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Protection Against Coercion: The law prohibits accepting donations that are coerced through the authority of a government official or that include conditions intended to receive a government benefit (Section 2(b)(2)(B)).
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Accountability Through Enforcement: The bill allows for civil and criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, to ensure that the rules are followed (Section 2(e)(5)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Strict Restrictions on Donors: Individuals involved in legal disputes or seeking business with the government are barred from making donations for covered projects, which limits their ability to contribute (Section 2(b)(2)(A)).
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Lobbying Restrictions: People who make a donation are prohibited from engaging in lobbying activities directed at executive branch officers for a two-year period following the donation (Section 2(c)(2)).
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Burden of Disclosure: Donors are required to disclose meetings with high-ranking officials, which adds a layer of reporting requirements to their communications (Section 2(d)(1)).
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Severe Penalties: Individuals found in violation of the act face heavy fines and potential imprisonment, which could be a significant burden depending on the nature of the violation (Section 2(e)(5)).
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 make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates quarterly reports in the Federal Register and disclosure of meetings with high-ranking officials. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill requires donors to disclose meetings and communications with high-ranking officials.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill imposes strict donation bans and a two-year lobbying cooling-off period for those seeking government business.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill aims to prevent corruption and undue influence of government contracts through donations.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill implements strict oversight for donations related to the maintenance of public property and monuments.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — By requiring Congressional approval for foreign government donations, the bill maintains more controlled diplomatic interactions.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill focuses on executive corruption rather than police department operations.
- 10/29/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/7/2026
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 12/18/2025
- 7 Cosponsors added.
- 11/18/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Yassamin AnsariDemocrat · Arizona
Jasmine CrockettDemocrat · Texas
Danny DavisDemocrat · Illinois
Lizzie FletcherDemocrat · Texas
Maxwell FrostDemocrat · Florida
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Raja KrishnamoorthiDemocrat · Illinois
Stephen LynchDemocrat · Massachusetts
Mike LevinDemocrat · California
Jennifer McClellanDemocrat · Virginia
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey
James WalkinshawDemocrat · Virginia