Bill · H.R. 4461· House(119-HR-4461)
To amend section 2112 of title 44, United States Code, to appropriately limit donations to Presidential Libraries and Centers.
- Introduced
- 7/16/2025
- Last activity
- 7/16/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Sponsored by
- Jared Moskowitz
- Cosponsors
- - 22 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill proposes amendments to title 44 of the United States Code regarding Presidential Libraries and Centers. It seeks to implement strict restrictions on who can donate to these organizations and how much they can give. The legislation prohibits certain groups, such as lobbyists, federal contractors, and foreign nationals, from making donations while a president is in office or shortly after. It also establishes a $10,000 aggregate limit on donations per person during a specific timeframe. Additionally, the bill mandates detailed reporting of donations and creates significant civil and criminal penalties for violations.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+7
The bill mandates detailed public reporting of donations to ensure transparency in the funding of presidential libraries.
Does this limit or expose the money behind campaigns?+6
By placing aggregate donation limits and restrictions on specific interest groups, the bill implements stricter financial regulations for presidential institutions.
Does this limit the influence of paid lobbyists?+5
The bill restricts the ability of lobbyists to donate to presidential libraries, thereby limiting political influence.
The opposite· 3 of 5
Would immigrants be better off under this?-5
Foreign nationals are specifically prohibited from making donations to presidential libraries.
Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this?-4
The bill imposes strict aggregate limits on personal donations, which impacts high-net-worth contributors.
Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this?-4
The new donation limits and transparency requirements limit the philanthropic influence of very wealthy individuals.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Transparency: The bill requires Presidential Libraries to file reports disclosing the amount, date, name, address, employer, and occupation of any "covered person" who donates at least $200. These reports must be published by the Archivist on a searchable website without a fee (Section 1, Subsection (h)(4)).
-
Prevention of Personal Enrichment: The legislation makes it unlawful to convert donations intended for a Presidential Library or Center to a person's personal use, including using funds to meet obligations that exist regardless of the library's responsibilities (Section 1, Subsection (h)(2)(D)).
-
Restrictions on Influential Groups: The bill prohibits specific entities—including registered lobbyists, registered agents of foreign principals, federal contractors, and foreign nationals—from donating to libraries while a President is serving or during a 2-year "cooling off" period after they leave office (Section 1, Subsection (h)(2)(A) and (C)).
-
Limits on Political Influence via Pardons: The bill prohibits donations from individuals who are seeking or have received a pardon from the President for whom the library is being established (Section 1, Subsection (h)(2)(A)(ii)(EE)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Financial Limits on Donors: The bill imposes an aggregate donation limit of $10,000 per person for the period beginning when an individual is elected to the office of President and ending one year after they cease serving (Section 1, Subsection (h)(3)(A)).
-
Strict Penalties for Violations: Individuals who violate these rules face significant consequences, including civil penalties of up to $20,000 (or the value of the donation) and criminal penalties of up to one year in prison. For larger donations exceeding $50,000, criminal penalties can increase to five years in prison (Section 1, Subsection (h)(5)(B) and (C)).
-
Burdens on Specific Groups: Certain groups, such as federal contractors and registered lobbyists, are barred from making donations during a specific timeframe, which includes a 2-year period after a President leaves office (Section 1, Subsection (h)(2)(C)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Immigrants-5Good For Billionaires-4Good For High Net Worth Individuals-4Good For Ultra High Net Worth Individuals-4Good For Business Owners-3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+7Improves Campaign Finance Reform+6Reduces Lobbying+5
- 10/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/15/2025
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 7/23/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/22/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/21/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/16/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 14 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ed CaseDemocrat · Hawaii
Emanuel CleaverDemocrat · Missouri
Yvette ClarkeDemocrat · New York
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Jasmine CrockettDemocrat · Texas
Dwight EvansDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Pramila JayapalDemocrat · Washington
Mike LevinDemocrat · California
Seth MagazinerDemocrat · Rhode Island
Kelly MorrisonDemocrat · Minnesota
Dave MinDemocrat · California
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Frank PalloneDemocrat · New Jersey
Jamie RaskinDemocrat · Maryland
Delia RamirezDemocrat · Illinois
Mary Gay ScanlonDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Melanie StansburyDemocrat · New Mexico
Dina TitusDemocrat · Nevada
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan
Nikema WilliamsDemocrat · Georgia
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey