PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Congressional Research Service
Version 53 · Passed House · Oct 23, 2019
Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy Act or the SHIELD Act
This bill establishes a duty to report election interference from foreign entities, applies existing campaign advertising requirements to online advertisements, and generally limits political spending and election interference by foreign entities.
Specifically, a political committee must report certain foreign contacts involving an offer of unlawful election assistance to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Election Commission. The bill establishes criminal penalties for violations of these requirements.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
This bill establishes that an alien engaging in improper election interference shall be deportable and inadmissible into the United States.
Existing requirements for political advertisements and electioneering communications apply to internet and digital advertisements, including requirements related to disclosures and contributions. Additionally, large online platforms must maintain a public database of certain political advertisements.
The bill prohibits the distribution of certain deceptive audio or visual media within 60 days of an election.
The bill places limitations on political spending by foreign entities. Specifically, foreign entities may not (1) contribute to campaigns related to ballot initiatives and referenda, or (2) make disbursements for certain internet activity referring to a candidate or a political issue.
A candidate is prohibited from offering to share nonpublic campaign information with certain foreign entities.
People & committees
Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-19] · D–CA
Legislative record
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Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 227 - 181 (Roll no. 583).
House roll call 583 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 227 - 181 (Roll no. 583).
House roll call 583 · Individual votesOn motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 182 - 225 (Roll no. 582).
House roll call 582 · Individual votesThe previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes on the Rodney Davis (IL) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to strike subsection (b) of section 1 and all that follows and insert the text of the bill entitled the "Honest Elections Act".
Mr. Davis, Rodney moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on House Administration. (text: CR H8439-8440)
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 4617.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the Lesko amendment, which was debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Spanberger amendment No. 14.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cunningham amendment No. 13.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cunningham amendment No. 12.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Sherrill amendment No. 11.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Slotkin amendment No. 10.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Houlahan amendment No. 9.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Delgado amendment No. 8.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Brown (MD) amendment No. 7.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Swalwell (CA) amendment No. 6.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Langevin amendment No. 5.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Levin (MI) amendment No. 4.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lynch amendment No. 3.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Lesko amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment, and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Lesko demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lesko amendment No. 2.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 650, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the DeSaulnier amendment No. 1.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 4617.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Henry Cuellar to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 650 and Rule XVIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4617 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit with or without instructions allowed.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 650. (consideration: CR H8410-8442)
Rule H. Res. 650 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 650 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4617 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit with or without instructions allowed.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 196.
Committee on the Judiciary discharged.
Committee on the Judiciary discharged.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 116-246, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 116-246, Part I.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 6 - 1.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.4617 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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