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Sarbanes Statement on FEC Action to Help Protect U.S. Elections from Foreign Interference

Statement

Date: Nov. 16, 2017
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Elections

Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) issued the following statement today after the Federal Election Commission (FEC) voted unanimously to proceed with a rulemaking on internet advertising disclaimer rules:

"I applaud the FEC for advancing new guidance on internet communication disclaimers. While we must do more to safeguard our democracy from foreign interference and to promote greater transparency, this is an important step forward."

In October, the FEC reopened a comment period on whether to proceed with the internet communication disclaimer rulemaking after Congressman Sarbanes and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) led a coalition of Democratic House and Senate members in sending a letter to the agency, urging it to consider new rules that would prevent foreign agents from buying political and issue-based ads on platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

Earlier this month, Congressman Sarbanes led the Democracy Reform Task Force in submitting comments to support the Federal Election Commission (FEC) moving forward with a rulemaking on internet advertising disclosure.


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