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Bill116th CongressFiled Oct 8, 2019Government Operations and Politics
H.R. 4617

SHIELD Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house (Oct 23, 2019)

Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy Act or the SHIELD Act

This bill establishes a duty to report election interference from foreign entities, applies existing campaign advertising requirements to online advertisements, and generally limits political spending and election interference by foreign entities.

Specifically, a political committee must report certain foreign contacts involving an offer of unlawful election assistance to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Election Commission. The bill establishes criminal penalties for violations of these requirements.

This bill establishes that an alien engaging in improper election interference shall be deportable and inadmissible into the United States.

Existing requirements for political advertisements and electioneering communications apply to internet and digital advertisements, including requirements related to disclosures and contributions. Additionally, large online platforms must maintain a public database of certain political advertisements.

The bill prohibits the distribution of certain deceptive audio or visual media within 60 days of an election.

The bill places limitations on political spending by foreign entities. Specifically, foreign entities may not (1) contribute to campaigns related to ballot initiatives and referenda, or (2) make disbursements for certain internet activity referring to a candidate or a political issue.

A candidate is prohibited from offering to share nonpublic campaign information with certain foreign entities.

What just happenedOct 28, 2019

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-19](D-CA)Sponsor
137 cosponsors137 D
Read on Congress.gov
137cosponsors3committees45actions14amendments12related bills24subjects
  1. Oct 28, 2019IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

    Rules and Administration Committee
  2. Oct 23, 2019FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. Oct 23, 2019FloorH37100

    On passage Passed by recorded vote: 227 - 181 (Roll no. 583).

  4. Oct 23, 2019Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 227 - 181 (Roll no. 583).

  5. Oct 23, 2019FloorH36110

    On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 182 - 225 (Roll no. 582).

    Committee on House Administration
  6. Oct 23, 2019FloorH8A000

    The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

  7. Oct 23, 2019FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes on the Rodney Davis (IL) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to strike subsection (b) of section 1 and all that follows and insert the text of the bill entitled the "Honest Elections Act".

  8. Oct 23, 2019FloorH36100

    Mr. Davis, Rodney moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on House Administration. (text: CR H8439-8440)

    Committee on House Administration
  9. Oct 23, 2019FloorH34400

    The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

  10. Oct 23, 2019FloorH35000

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

  11. Oct 23, 2019FloorH32600

    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 4617.

  12. Oct 23, 2019FloorH8D000

    UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the Lesko amendment, which was debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

  13. Oct 23, 2019FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Spanberger amendment No. 14.

  14. Oct 23, 2019FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cunningham amendment No. 13.

  15. Oct 23, 2019FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cunningham amendment No. 12.

  16. Oct 23, 2019FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Sherrill amendment No. 11.

  17. Oct 23, 2019FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Slotkin amendment No. 10.

  18. Oct 23, 2019FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Houlahan amendment No. 9.

  19. Oct 23, 2019FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Delgado amendment No. 8.

  20. Oct 23, 2019FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Brown (MD) amendment No. 7.

  21. Oct 23, 2019FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Swalwell (CA) amendment No. 6.

  22. Oct 23, 2019FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Langevin amendment No. 5.

  23. Oct 23, 2019FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Levin (MI) amendment No. 4.

  24. Oct 23, 2019FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lynch amendment No. 3.

  25. Oct 23, 2019FloorH8D000

    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Lesko amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment, and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Lesko demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

  26. Oct 23, 2019FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lesko amendment No. 2.

  27. Oct 23, 2019FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the DeSaulnier amendment No. 1.

  28. Oct 23, 2019FloorH8D000

    GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 4617.

  29. Oct 23, 2019FloorH32400

    The Speaker designated the Honorable Henry Cuellar to act as Chairman of the Committee.

  30. Oct 23, 2019FloorH32020

    House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 650 and Rule XVIII.

  31. Oct 23, 2019FloorH8D000

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4617 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit with or without instructions allowed.

  32. Oct 23, 2019FloorH30000

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 650. (consideration: CR H8410-8442)

  33. Oct 23, 2019FloorH1L220

    Rule H. Res. 650 passed House.

  34. Oct 22, 2019FloorH1L210

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 650 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4617 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit with or without instructions allowed.

  35. Oct 21, 2019CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 196.

  36. Oct 21, 2019DischargeH12300

    Committee on the Judiciary discharged.

    Judiciary Committee
  37. Oct 21, 2019Committee5500

    Committee on the Judiciary discharged.

    Judiciary Committee
  38. Oct 21, 2019CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 116-246, Part I.

    Committee on House Administration
  39. Oct 21, 2019Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 116-246, Part I.

    Committee on House Administration
  40. Oct 16, 2019Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 6 - 1.

    Committee on House Administration
  41. Oct 16, 2019Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Committee on House Administration
  42. Oct 8, 2019IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.

    Judiciary Committee
  43. Oct 8, 2019IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.

    Committee on House Administration
  44. Oct 8, 2019IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  45. Oct 8, 2019IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed HouseOct 23, 201953

Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy Act or the SHIELD Act

This bill establishes a duty to report election interference from foreign entities, applies existing campaign advertising requirements to online advertisements, and generally limits political spending and election interference by foreign entities.

Specifically, a political committee must report certain foreign contacts involving an offer of unlawful election assistance to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Election Commission. The bill establishes criminal penalties for violations of these requirements.

This bill establishes that an alien engaging in improper election interference shall be deportable and inadmissible into the United States.

Existing requirements for political advertisements and electioneering communications apply to internet and digital advertisements, including requirements related to disclosures and contributions. Additionally, large online platforms must maintain a public database of certain political advertisements.

The bill prohibits the distribution of certain deceptive audio or visual media within 60 days of an election.

The bill places limitations on political spending by foreign entities. Specifically, foreign entities may not (1) contribute to campaigns related to ballot initiatives and referenda, or (2) make disbursements for certain internet activity referring to a candidate or a political issue.

A candidate is prohibited from offering to share nonpublic campaign information with certain foreign entities.

Reported to House, Part IOct 21, 20198

Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy Act or the SHIELD Act

This bill establishes a duty to report election interference from foreign entities, applies existing campaign advertising requirements to online advertisements, and generally limits political spending and election interference by foreign entities.

Specifically, a political committee must report certain foreign contacts involving an offer of unlawful election assistance to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Election Commission. The bill establishes criminal penalties for violations of these requirements.

Existing requirements for political advertisements and electioneering communications apply to internet and digital advertisements, including requirements related to disclosures and contributions. Additionally, large online platforms must maintain a public database of certain political advertisements.

The bill places limitations on political spending by foreign entities. Specifically, foreign entities may not (1) contribute to campaigns related to ballot initiatives and referenda, or (2) make disbursements for certain internet activity referring to a candidate or a political issue.

A candidate is prohibited from offering to share nonpublic campaign information with certain foreign entities.

Introduced in HouseOct 8, 2019

Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy Act or the SHIELD Act

This bill establishes a duty to report election interference from foreign entities, applies existing campaign advertising requirements to online advertisements, and generally limits political spending and election interference by foreign entities.

Specifically, a political committee must report certain foreign contacts involving an offer of unlawful election assistance to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Election Commission. The bill establishes criminal penalties for violations of these requirements.

Existing requirements for political advertisements and electioneering communications apply to internet and digital advertisements, including requirements related to disclosures and contributions. Additionally, large online platforms must maintain a public database of certain political advertisements.

The bill places limitations on political spending by foreign entities. Specifically, foreign entities may not (1) contribute to campaigns related to ballot initiatives and referenda, or (2) make disbursements for certain internet activity referring to a candidate or a political issue.

A candidate is prohibited from offering to share nonpublic campaign information with certain foreign entities.

The bill also prohibits (1) the dissemination of false statements regarding federal elections or public endorsement, or (2) the intentional hindering of voting or registering to vote. The bill establishes criminal penalties and a private right of action with respect to these prohibitions.

SHIELD Act — Informed