Nearly Unanimous Senate Decision

Senate Unites to Pass Landmark Bill on Foreign Influence in Elections

In an unexpected display of bipartisan unity, the U.S. Senate voted 88-2 Thursday in favor of a bill designed to curb foreign influence in American elections, surprising even former President Donald Trump.

The legislation imposes strict regulations on foreign lobbying, requires full transparency of foreign funds behind political advertisements, and establishes tough criminal penalties, including multi-year prison sentences and asset seizures for violations.

“This is bigger than politics,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, emphasizing the bill’s goal of safeguarding the American public’s voice in elections.

Support for the measure crossed party lines, with several Trump loyalists reportedly persuaded by classified briefings detailing aggressive foreign attempts to manipulate U.S. politics. A former White House aide noted that Trump “was blindsided” by the overwhelming bipartisan support.

Only two senators opposed the bill, raising concerns about free speech implications. However, the overwhelming consensus was that stronger protections against foreign interference were long overdue.

The legislation now moves to the House of Representatives, where broad bipartisan support could see it signed into law by President Biden within weeks.

If enacted, the bill would mark a historic effort to safeguard U.S. elections, ensuring that foreign actors cannot secretly influence political outcomes and signaling a rare moment of unity in a highly polarized political environment.