Bryan Steil (R-WI)
Campaign Finance Transparency Act
A Republican bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 651.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
The Campaign Finance Transparency Act aims to modify the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971. It introduces stricter requirements for online credit or debit card contributions in Federal elections. This includes requiring the disclosure of card verification codes and billing ZIP Codes. The bill also mandates that the name on the card must match the donor's name. Additionally, it prohibits the acceptance of gift card contributions. Finally, it removes certain reporting thresholds for contributions and prohibits assisting others in making contributions in someone else's name.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill removes the $200 reporting threshold to increase the transparency of political contributions.
- Scored +1
Does this make casting a ballot easier in practice?
The bill aims to increase transparency and verify donor identity in federal elections.
The opposite· 3 of 6
- Scored -4
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill requires the disclosure of card verification codes, billing zip codes, and potentially sensitive identification documents.
- Scored -3
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill requires non-residents to provide specific identity documentation to verify eligibility for contributions.
- Scored -2
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The increased documentation requirements may create barriers for low-income donors.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Verification for Online Donations: Political committees must now require the card verification value or code and the billing ZIP Code for internet credit or debit card contributions, which may improve transaction security (Section 2).
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Enhanced Identity Verification for Non-Residents: Individuals whose mailing address is not in a State must provide specific information, such as a U.S. passport or permanent resident card, to ensure they are eligible contributors (Section 2).
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Prevention of Misused Funds: The bill prohibits political committees from knowingly accepting contributions made via gift certificates or store gift cards (Section 4).
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Prohibition of Contribution Manipulation: The act prohibits any person from knowingly directing, helping, or assisting someone in making a contribution in the name of another person (Section 6).
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Improved Reporting Accountability: The bill removes the $200 threshold for reporting contributions, which changes how receipts and contributions are tracked (Section 5).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Burden of Documentation for Donors: Individuals making internet contributions may be required to provide sensitive information such as a copy of their U.S. passport, a comparable identification document, or a permanent resident card (Section 2).
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Mandatory Refunds for Non-Compliance: Treasurers of political committees have an affirmative duty to refund contributions that do not comply with the new disclosure or gift card requirements (Section 2 and Section 4).
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Strict Identity Matching Requirements: A political committee cannot accept a credit or debit card contribution unless the name on the card is the exact name of the individual or entity donating (Section 3).
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill requires non-residents to provide specific identity documentation to verify eligibility for contributions. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The requirement to provide specific identity documents like permanent resident cards may create a burden for certain immigrant groups. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The increased documentation requirements may create barriers for low-income donors. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill imposes new administrative burdens on making online political contributions.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill removes the $200 reporting threshold to increase the transparency of political contributions. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill requires the disclosure of card verification codes, billing zip codes, and potentially sensitive identification documents.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make casting a ballot easier in practice? — The bill aims to increase transparency and verify donor identity in federal elections. Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — The bill requires non-residents to provide sensitive identity documents like passports or permanent resident cards to make contributions.
- 7/13/2026
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 119-747.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 651.
- 6/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/14/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 11 - 0.
- 5/12/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/11/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
- Introduced in House
Tom BarrettRepublican · Michigan
Mary MillerRepublican · Illinois