DISCLOSE Act of 2026

Key Points

• The bill requires organizations spending over $10,000 on election-related activities to disclose their donors within 24 hours. Corporations, labor unions, Super PACs, and 501(c) nonprofits must report the names and addresses of anyone who gave them $10,000 or more, ending the era of anonymous 'dark money' in politics.
• Political ads on TV, radio, online, and digital platforms must include a 'Stand By Every Ad' disclaimer. The head of the group paying for the ad must appear and say they approve the message, and the ad must list the top five biggest financial backers so voters know who is behind the message.
• The bill closes loopholes that allow foreign money into U.S. elections. It bans foreign spending on state and local ballot measures, prohibits using shell companies to hide foreign donations, and creates a new criminal penalty of up to 5 years in prison for setting up a corporation to conceal foreign election spending.
• For the first time, disclosure rules would also cover money spent to influence federal judicial nominations, including Supreme Court picks. Groups spending over $10,000 on ads promoting or opposing a judicial nominee would have to reveal their donors, just like election spending.
• The new disclosure and disclaimer rules would mostly take effect on January 1, 2027, and apply regardless of whether the FEC has finalized regulations. The Government Accountability Office would also study foreign money in elections every four years through 2036.