Bill · S. 1849· Senate(119-S-1849)
Zeroing Out Money for Buying Influence after Elections (ZOMBIE) Act
- Introduced
- 5/21/2025
- Last activity
- 5/21/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
- Sponsored by
- Michael Bennet
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Zeroing Out Money for Buying Influence after Elections (ZOMBIE) Act" seeks to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971. This bill requires all authorized committees or leadership PACs of a former federal candidate to disburse their remaining funds after an election. This requirement is triggered by the end of a specific disbursement period or when a candidate engages in lobbying or becomes a foreign agent. The bill limits how these remaining funds can be spent, such as returning contributions or donating to specific organizations. Additionally, it mandates that former candidates who become lobbyists or foreign agents must certify they have complied with these fund disbursement rules.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this limit or expose the money behind campaigns?+7
It strengthens campaign finance integrity by restricting how leftover funds can be used by former candidates.
Does this make elections run better?+6
The bill increases transparency and accountability in campaign finance by requiring the disbursement of remaining funds after elections.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
It mandates certifications under penalty of perjury to ensure former candidates comply with fund disbursement rules.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Fund Disbursement Requirements: Each authorized committee or leadership PAC of a candidate must disburse all remaining funds before certain triggers occur, such as the candidate making a lobbying contact or becoming a foreign agent (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Restrictions on Influence: The bill prohibits funds from being disbursed to organizations established by the candidate, organizations bearing the candidate's name, or organizations where the candidate or a relative is employed or serves as an officer (Section 2(a)(3)(A)).
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Protection Against Favoritism: The bill prohibits the disbursement of funds to a candidate's relative, unless it is to pay an obligation of the committee (Section 2(a)(3)(B)).
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Accountability through Certification: Former candidates who become registered lobbyists or foreign agents must provide a certification under penalty of perjury that they have complied with the fund disbursement requirements (Section 3 and Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Compliance Burdens for Future Candidates: Candidates who intend to run in a subsequent election must provide information and fees to a State election official prior to the start of the applicable disbursement period to avoid the mandatory fund disbursement (Section 2(a)(2)).
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Restrictions on Fund Usage: After paying obligations, a committee or PAC may only use remaining funds to return contributions to donors or make contributions to specific organizations described in section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Section 2(b)(2)).
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+5Reduces Lobbying+4
- 5/21/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
- Introduced in Senate