DeLauro Stands Up Against Foreign Influences in U.S. Elections

Washington, D.C. – In response to last Thursday's Supreme Court decision in the case of Citizens United v. F.E.C., Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) introduced legislation today aimed at preventing US subsidiaries of foreign corporations from interfering with domestic elections, the Prevent Foreign Influence in our Elections Act.

In his dissent from the 5-4 ruling last week, Justice John Paul Stevens wrote that the majority's decision, which will allow unlimited corporate spending in our election system, "would appear to afford the same protection to multinational corporations controlled by foreigners as to individual Americans." Congresswoman DeLauro's bill ensures that this dangerous loophole is closed.

"The Supreme Court's overreaching and irresponsible decision in Citizens United last week threatens the basic functioning of our republic in many ways, including opening the door to election-tampering by foreign corporations through their American subsidiaries. My legislation closes this potential loophole right away, using an eminently fair definition of U.S. subsidiary that even this Court must respect.

"I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join this bill and help ensure that foreign special interests cannot take advantage of this Court-created loophole to abuse our election process. And I hope that this will be the first of many election reforms, including voluntary public financing, that we pass in the coming months to undo the damage of this egregious decision."

The bill amends the pre-existing ban on foreign nationals and foreign corporations in 2 USC 441e to include US subsidiaries of these corporations. US subsidiaries are defined as entities with over 50% foreign shareholders.

The Prevent Foreign Influence in our Elections Act is co-sponsored by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Rep. Steve Kagen (D-WI), Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY).