Bill · H.R. 2816· House(119-HR-2816)
Shell Company Abuse Act
- Introduced
- 4/10/2025
- Last activity
- 4/10/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Wesley Bell
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the Shell Company Abuse Act, seeks to amend title 18 of the United States Code. It aims to prohibit the creation or use of a corporation, company, or other entity for the purpose of hiding election contributions and donations made by foreign nationals. The legislation would make it unlawful for owners, officers, attorneys, or incorporation agents to engage in this activity. Violators could face up to five years in prison and fines.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this limit or expose the money behind campaigns?+7
The legislation acts as a campaign finance reform measure by targeting opaque foreign funding channels.
Does this make elections run better?+6
The bill enhances election integrity by criminalizing the use of shell companies to hide foreign contributions.
Does this protect the right to vote?+5
The bill protects the integrity of elections by preventing concealed foreign financial influence.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-3
Business owners and agents face significant new criminal liability and potential prison time.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Prevention of concealed foreign influence: By making it unlawful to establish or use an entity with the intent to hide prohibited activities of a foreign national, the bill targets the concealment of election contributions and donations (Section 2(a)).
-
Increased accountability for officials: The law would hold owners, officers, attorneys, or incorporation agents personally accountable for establishing or using entities to conceal such activities (Section 2(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential for criminal penalties: Individuals acting as owners, officers, attorneys, or incorporation agents could face up to five years in prison and fines if they are found to have violated this provision (Section 2(a)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Campaign Finance Reform+7Improves Electoral Process+6Improves Government Transparency+4Increases Federal Power+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Voting Rights+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners-3
- 5/5/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/1/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/10/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska
Jason CrowDemocrat · Colorado
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Josh GottheimerDemocrat · New Jersey
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York