Montana Seeks to Close Loophole in Campaign Contribution Law

HELENA — Montana Gov. Steve Bullock said Wednesday he’s backing state legislation that aims to prevent foreign money from influencing state elections by closing a loophole created by the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling that allows corporate spending in elections.

Bullock said the bill will outlaw foreign spending in Montana elections by preventing foreign corporations, governments and nationals from hiding behind domestic shell companies to make such contributions. A hearing for the bill sponsored by Sen. Nate McConnell, D-Missoula, not been set.

Federal law prohibits foreign contributions to political campaigns, but Bullock said foreign nationals have evaded it by setting up shell corporations in the U.S. The bill would ban political spending by corporations considered to be “foreign influenced,” which is determined by ownership.

“The risk of foreign governments and foreign corporations using this loophole to influence our elections is not speculative,” Bullock said. “It’s real, and it’s happening right now.”

Read more: https://flatheadbeacon.com/2019/03/13/montana-seeks-close-loophole-campaign-contribution-law/