Stopping Foreign Influence in Elections Act of 2026
Latest action (22 Jul 2026): Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 16.
What this bill does
H.R. 9771, the Stopping Foreign Influence in Elections Act of 2026, would amend the Internal Revenue Code to penalize certain tax-exempt organizations that contribute to political committees or 501(c)(4) organizations after having received donations from foreign nationals. If a qualifying tax-exempt group received a contribution from a foreign national within a two-year "testing period" and then makes a contribution to a political committee or 501(c)(4), that contribution would be treated as "disqualified." The organization would face a penalty equal to twice the contribution amount, plus escalating excise taxes—100% of the contribution for a first violation, 200% for a second, and 200% plus loss of tax-exempt status for two years for subsequent violations. Organizations may rely on donors' statements about their nationality unless they know or should have known such statements were false.
The bill applies to larger tax-exempt organizations (generally those with at least $200,000 in gross receipts or $500,000 in assets) that are required to file annual returns with the IRS. It is intended to discourage these organizations from funneling foreign-sourced funds into U.S. political spending. The changes would take effect for contributions made more than one year after enactment.
The bill was introduced by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis on July 18, 2026, referred to the Ways and Means Committee, and reported out with an amendment on August 27, 2026, by a 23-16 vote. It has been placed on the Union Calendar for consideration by the full House but has not yet been voted on by the House or Senate.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Stopping Foreign Influence in Elections Act of 2026
This bill imposes on certain tax-exempt organizations federal income taxes and penalties, including loss of tax-exempt status, for contributing to a political entity within two years of receiving a contribution or gift from a foreign national (disqualified political committee contribution).
Under the bill, tax-exempt organizations described in Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (e.g., charities, social welfare organizations, labor organizations, and business or civics leagues) that make disqualified political committee contributions are subject to federal taxes in the amounts of 100% of the contribution for the first such contribution and 200% of the contribution for each subsequent contribution.
For a third and each subsequent contribution, the bill also revokes the organization’s tax-exempt status for two years (from the date the contribution is made).
A penalty of twice the amount of any disqualified political committee contribution also is imposed on certain tax-exempt 501(c) organizations that have (1) gross receipts of $200,000 or more for the prior tax year, or (2) assets of $500,000 or more for the prior tax year.
Timeline
22 Jul 2026
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 16.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9771 do?
- H.R. 9771, the Stopping Foreign Influence in Elections Act of 2026, would amend the Internal Revenue Code to penalize certain tax-exempt organizations that contribute to political committees or 501(c)(4) organizations after having received donations from foreign nationals. If a qualifying tax-exempt group received a contribution from a foreign national within a two-year "testing period" and then makes a contribution to a political committee or 501(c)(4), that contribution would be treated as "disqualified." The organization would face a penalty equal to twice the contribution amount, plus escalating excise taxes—100% of the contribution for a first violation, 200% for a second, and 200% plus loss of tax-exempt status for two years for subsequent violations. Organizations may rely on donors' statements about their nationality unless they know or should have known such statements were false. The bill applies to larger tax-exempt organizations (generally those with at least $200,000 in gross receipts or $500,000 in assets) that are required to file annual returns with the IRS. It is intended to discourage these organizations from funneling foreign-sourced funds into U.S. political spending. The changes would take effect for contributions made more than one year after enactment. The bill was introduced by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis on July 18, 2026, referred to the Ways and Means Committee, and reported out with an amendment on August 27, 2026, by a 23-16 vote. It has been placed on the Union Calendar for consideration by the full House but has not yet been voted on by the House or Senate.
- Has H.R. 9771 become law?
- Not yet. As of 22 Jul 2026, H.R. 9771 is ordered reported.
- Who sponsored H.R. 9771?
- H.R. 9771 was sponsored by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis [R-NY11] (Republican-NY), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9771?
- Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 16. (22 Jul 2026).
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