Rep. Cisneros Statement on Passage of SHIELD Act
Statement
Representative Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (CA-39) released the following statement after his co-sponsored legislation, the Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy (SHIELD) Act, passed the House of Representatives. The SHIELD Act takes concrete steps to strengthen our national security and protect our country against attempts by foreign actors to interfere with or influence our democratic institutions.
"When I first enlisted in the United States Navy, I swore a solemn oath to serve our country and defend our Constitution. Ten months ago, I took that oath again when I was sworn in as a Member of Congress," said Rep. Cisneros. "It is our duty to stand up for our democracy and safeguard our Constitution and our democratic institutions from foreign interference. The SHIELD Act takes important corrective steps to defend our national security from foreign governments and their agents seeking to undermine our democracy."
The SHIELD Act closes loopholes that allow foreign spending in our elections, deters disinformation and foreign interference in future elections by improving transparency of online political advertisements, creates a duty to report illicit offers of campaign assistance from foreign governments and their agents, and prohibits deceptive practices about voting procedures.
The SHIELD Act also includes two pieces of co-sponsored legislation that Rep. Cisneros has championed. First, it includes the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2019, which would impose penalties on those who willfully spread misinformation and forbids voter intimidation efforts. Second, it includes the Foreign Influence Reporting in Elections (FIRE) Act, which would require all campaign officials to report, within one week, any contacts with foreign nationals attempting to make campaign donations or otherwise coordinate with the campaign.
Rep. Cisneros is a Navy veteran and serves on the House Armed Services Committee.
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