East Arizona News

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Ways and Means Committee has approved H.R. 8293, the American Donor Privacy and Foreign Funding Transparency Act. This legislation, penned by U.S. Representative David Schweikert (AZ-01), mandates tax-exempt organizations to reveal aggregate data on donations from foreign sources while safeguarding American taxpayers from new donor disclosure requirements imposed by federal agencies.

“There is no place for foreign adversaries in American politics,” stated Rep. Schweikert. “The American Donor Privacy and Foreign Funding Transparency Act not only illuminates the methods foreign donors use to influence our democracy but also enshrines American donors’ rights to privacy under the First Amendment.”

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) referred to the Lois Lerner IRS scandal as a stark reminder of the consequences when a federal agency targets Americans based on their political beliefs. He added, “Rep. Schweikert’s bill protects Americans from attempts by federal agencies to circumvent Congress and implement their own disclosure requirements. It also safeguards against attempts by foreign entities, particularly the Chinese Communist Party, to control and influence our public policy, discourse, and elections."

The legislation aims to tackle the significant influx of funding from foreign entities seeking to impact American politics. According to Bloomberg, a U.S.-blacklisted Chinese telecommunications company has been clandestinely funding research conducted at various institutions in America.

The American Donor Privacy and Foreign Funding Transparency Act requires annual disclosure of contributions received by tax-exempt organizations from foreign sources, thereby bringing transparency to the tax-exempt sector and exposing foreign adversaries attempting to influence U.S. elections.

It also maintains crucial privacy protections for Americans who donate to nonprofits by preventing federal agencies from collecting or requiring information on any donor's identity to a tax-exempt organization.

Congressman David Schweikert serves on the Ways and Means Committee and currently chairs the Oversight Subcommittee.