The Stop Act (H.R. 415) would amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to ban federal officeholders from directly soliciting campaign contributions. Specifically, it prohibits federal officeholders from soliciting funds directly from any person for or on behalf of any political committee or for use in federal election activity. The bill would permit certain fundraising participation (planning, attending, speaking, or being a featured guest) as long as no written or verbal solicitation occurs. It also tightens rules around attendance at state and local political party fundraising events, prohibiting any written or verbal solicitation by federal officeholders at those events. The changes would apply to solicitations made after the act is enacted. In short, the bill aims to reduce direct fundraising by federal officeholders and associated influence by ensuring that they do not personally solicit campaign money, while allowing limited, non-solicitation involvement in fundraising activities.
Key Points
- 1Adds a new prohibition: Federal officeholders may not solicit funds directly from any person for or on behalf of any political committee or for use in federal election activity.
- 2Clarifies fundraising participation: An officeholder may participate in fundraising events (planning, attending, speaking, or being a featured guest) as long as they do not engage in any written or verbal solicitation of funds in connection with the event.
- 3State/local event rule: At state and local political party fundraising events, federal officeholders may attend and participate, but may not engage in written or verbal fundraising solicitations.
- 4Conforming amendments: The bill adjusts the placement and language of related prohibitions to ensure the new solicitation ban applies consistently.
- 5Effective date: The restrictions apply to solicitations made on or after the enactment date of the act.