- Foreign entities, including billionaires, exploit loopholes in election finance laws to funnel money into U.S. elections, violating the civil rights of American citizens who have the sole right to determine their leadership.
- Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) uncovered a loophole allowing foreign funds to flow through 501(c) charities to super PACs, enabling unlimited foreign money in U.S. elections with minimal oversight.
- Poor election administration and lax enforcement enable non-citizens to vote in federal elections, despite federal laws prohibiting it. Automatic voter registration policies have inadvertently increased opportunities for non-citizen registration.
- A 2021 FEC ruling allows foreign nationals to donate to ballot initiatives, enabling foreign billionaires like Hansjorg Wyss to influence state-level decisions, distorting the democratic process.
- Proposed measures include the SAVE Act to enforce existing laws, model policies to prohibit non-citizen voting and donations, and stronger enforcement mechanisms to ensure only U.S. citizens influence elections.
The integrity of American elections is under siege, not just from within but also from external forces seeking to undermine our democratic process. Foreign influence in U.S. elections is a direct violation of the civil rights of American citizens, who have the sole right to determine the leadership of their country. Yet, loopholes in our election finance laws and lax enforcement mechanisms have allowed foreign billionaires and entities to meddle in our electoral process, often with little to no accountability.
Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) has been at the forefront of exposing these vulnerabilities. As chairman of the House Administration Committee, Steil has uncovered a significant loophole that allows foreign billionaires to funnel money into U.S. elections through 501(c) charities. Under current law, 40% of these funds can be transferred to super PACs, which are then used to run political ads. This means that foreign entities can pour unlimited amounts of money into U.S. elections, effectively influencing the outcome without any direct oversight.
Steil’s findings are alarming, but they are just one piece of a larger puzzle. Foreign influence in U.S. elections extends beyond financial contributions. Non-citizen voting, enabled by poor election administration and lack of enforcement, has become a growing concern. Despite federal laws explicitly prohibiting non-citizen voting, certain states have failed to implement adequate safeguards, allowing non-citizens to register and vote in federal elections. This is a blatant violation of the principle that only U.S. citizens should determine the outcome of U.S. elections.
The issue of non-citizen voting is compounded by the fact that many states have adopted policies like automatic voter registration, which automatically registers individuals to vote when they interact with government agencies. While this policy is intended to increase voter turnout, it has also created opportunities for non-citizens to be registered without their knowledge or consent. In some cases, states have even encouraged non-citizens to obtain driver’s licenses, further blurring the lines between legal and illegal voting.
The consequences of these vulnerabilities are clear. Non-citizens, whether legal or illegal, do not have the same vested interest in the direction of the United States as naturalized citizens. Voting is a right and a privilege that should be reserved for those who have made the commitment to become American citizens. Allowing non-citizens to vote not only undermines the integrity of our elections but also devalues the sacrifices made by those who have legally pursued citizenship.
Another avenue for foreign influence is through donations to ballot initiatives. While it is illegal for non-citizens to donate to political candidates or committees, a 2021 ruling by the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) opened the door for foreign nationals to contribute to ballot initiatives. This has allowed foreign billionaires, often driven by ideological agendas, to sway the outcomes of ballot measures in states across the country. The result is a distortion of the democratic process, where the voices of actual residents are drowned out by the financial clout of foreign entities.
The case of Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss is a prime example. Wyss has funneled millions of dollars into organizations like the Sixteen Thirty Fund, which has spent nearly $100 million on ballot initiatives in 25 states. This level of foreign influence is unacceptable and undermines the very foundation of American democracy.
The fight for election integrity is unending
The good news is that there are solutions. Federal legislation like the SAVE Act can provide states with the tools they need to enforce existing laws and prevent non-citizen voting. Additionally, states can adopt model policies developed by organizations like the America First Policy Institute, which prohibit non-citizen voting and donations to ballot initiatives. These measures are essential to ensuring that only U.S. citizens have a say in the future of their country.
Congressman Steil’s efforts to close the loophole allowing foreign money to influence U.S. elections are a step in the right direction. However, more must be done to address the broader issue of foreign influence in our electoral process. This includes strengthening enforcement mechanisms, requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration, and prohibiting foreign money in ballot initiatives.
The integrity of American elections is not just a political issue; it is a matter of national security. Foreign entities, whether through financial contributions or other means, seek to undermine our sovereignty and impose their agendas on the American people. It is time for Congress and state legislatures to take decisive action to protect our elections and ensure that they are free from foreign interference.
As former Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell aptly stated, “To be an American citizen is to have the right to a voice to help determine who represents you in government and who will stand for your ideas, values, and freedom.” It is our duty to protect this right and ensure that it remains in the hands of American citizens alone. Foreign influence in U.S. elections must be eradicated, and the rule of law must be upheld to preserve the integrity of our democracy.
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