September 11, 2017 •
Campaign Finance Riders in House Financial Services Appropriations Bill
Several provisions added last week to the House Financial Services appropriations bill would alter some federal campaign laws.
The legislation would prevent some charitable 501(c)(3) organizations such as churches from losing their tax-exempt status for making contributions to candidates. The bill would also allow corporations greater latitude in soliciting employees to contribute to political action committees.
The riders to the bill also include provisions prohibiting the IRS from enacting rules governing political activity and prohibiting the SEC from implementing rules requiring corporations to report to its shareholders a corporation’s political campaign activities.
A further change to campaign finance law in the appropriation bill would bar the use of funds to recommend or require any entity submitting an offer for a federal contract to disclose specified political contributions as a condition of submitting the offer.
The appropriations and other finance bills are expected to be debated this and next week in the House.
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