Summary of HR 6738 — Protecting Ballot Measures From Foreign Influence Act of 2025

Overview

HR 6738 is a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on December 16, 2025. The primary purpose is to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to prohibit contributions and donations by foreign nationals in connection with state or local ballot measures, including ballot initiatives and referenda. The bill is titled the “Protecting Ballot Measures From Foreign Influence Act of 2025.” It has been referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Key Provisions

• Prohibition Expansion (Foreign National Contributions): The bill amends FECA to prohibit contributions and donations by foreign nationals not only in elections but also in connection with state or local ballot initiatives and ballot referenda. Specifically, it adds to the existing prohibition by inserting, after the word “election,” the phrase “, or a State or local ballot initiative or ballot referendum” into Section 319(a)(1)(A) of FECA (52 U.S.C. 30121(a)(1)(A)).
• Effective Date: The prohibition takes effect for contributions and donations made on or after the date of enactment of HR 6738. In other words, the new restriction applies prospectively from enactment forward.

Who Would Be Affected

• Foreign Nationals and Foreign Entities: Individuals or groups that are not U.S. persons and that contribute or donate in connection with ballot initiatives or referenda at the state or local level would be prohibited from doing so under the amended FECA provision.
• Campaign Committees and Ballot Measure Campaigns: State and local ballot measure committees, sponsor organizations, political committees, and any other entities seeking or receiving contributions in connection with ballot initiatives or referenda would be subject to the new prohibition if a donor is a foreign national.
• Regulators and Compliance Actors: Federal and state election officials, as well as campaign finance compliance professionals, would need to implement and enforce the expanded prohibition.

Procedural and Timeline Details

• Status: Introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on House Administration.
• Introduced On: December 16, 2025.
• Legislative Actions So Far:
  • 2025-12-16 — Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
  • 2025-12-16 — Introduced in the House.
• Sponsors: Lead sponsor is Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (with at least one cosponsor listed). Additional co-sponsors include Representatives Cline, Perez, Bice, McGuire, Smith of Nebraska, Loudermilk, Higgins of Louisiana, Hunt, and McDowell (as per the introduction).

Notes

• The bill is currently in the introductory stage and has not advanced to debate or passage. Its impact would depend on passage by Congress and any potential amendments during consideration.
• The text provided reflects the introduced version; later amendments could modify scope, enforcement mechanisms, penalties, or definitions related to foreign influence.

This summary presents the bill’s core intent, main change to law, who is affected, and the basic timeline for HR 6738.