House Republicans propose new campaign finance reform bill

House Republicans, led by Rep. Bryan Steil, have introduced the Secure Handling of Internet Electronic Donations Act, aimed at reforming campaign finance laws. This legislation seeks to enhance the integrity of political contributions by prohibiting political committees from accepting donations without proper verification, such as a CVV number and billing address. Additionally, it bans the use of prepaid credit or debit cards and gift certificates for donations. The bill addresses concerns regarding foreign interference in American elections, with Steil emphasizing the need for contributions to come from verified individuals. He expressed that the act is a crucial step in ensuring that all political contributions are legitimate and traceable, thereby increasing public trust in the electoral process. Rep. Stephanie Bice highlighted the importance of closing existing loopholes that allow donors to exceed legal contribution limits. She pointed out that platforms like ActBlue do not require CVV verification, which raises concerns about potential fraud and illegal contributions. Bice's statements reflect a bipartisan effort to enhance the security of campaign financing. The introduction of this act follows Steil's previous request to the Federal Election Commission to address these loopholes. Despite the lack of action from the FEC, the SHIELD Act represents a proactive approach by House Republicans to safeguard the electoral process and ensure that campaign donations are made transparently and lawfully.