Zeroing Out Money for Buying Influence after Elections (ZOMBIE) Act

The Zeroing Out Money for Buying Influence after Elections (ZOMBIE) Act would overhaul how unspent campaign funds are handled after a candidate’s election. It requires any authorized committee or leadership PAC of a former federal candidate to fully disburse remaining funds within a six-month "applicable disbursement period" after the election, subject to certain conditions. After paying ongoing operating obligations, any remaining funds could only be used to (a) refund a contributor or (b) make a donation to a qualifying 170(c) nonprofit, with strict prohibitions on distributions to organizations tied to the candidate or to relatives of the candidate. There is an exception for candidates who plan to run again and pre-file with state election officials to qualify for the next election. The bill also imposes new certification requirements: former candidates who become registered lobbyists or foreign agents must certify that their committees are in compliance with the disbursement rules, starting with filings after the 2026 general election. The changes would take effect for the November 2026 general election and subsequent elections.