Bills · S 118
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 118Government ethics and transparency, public corruptionFraud offenses and financial crimes
Inaugural Committee Transparency Act of 2025
INTRO JAN 16· LAST ACTION JAN 16
READING
3MIN
COSPONSORS
4
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it aims to shed more light on a significant, yet often opaque, part of presidential transitions: the fundraising and spending around inaugurations. Historically, these committees have faced criticism for lacking transparency, sometimes raising large sums from undisclosed sources or being accused of misusing funds. By requiring detailed disclosure of spending over $200, the bill would allow the public to see exactly how donated money is being used.
More importantly, it directly addresses concerns about foreign influence and corruption by banning donations from foreign nationals and prohibiting the use of funds for personal gain. If this bill becomes law, future inaugurations would operate under much stricter ethical guidelines, potentially reducing the perception of influence peddling or financial impropriety. If it doesn't become law, the current, less transparent system would remain, leaving open avenues for undisclosed spending and foreign contributions to inaugural events.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires Presidential Inaugural Committees to disclose details of all disbursements (spending) equal to or greater than $200, including the recipient, date, amount, and purpose.
This significantly increases public transparency regarding how inaugural funds are spent, not just how they are raised.
PROVISION 02
Prohibits Inaugural Committees from soliciting, accepting, or receiving donations from foreign nationals, and makes it unlawful for foreign nationals to make such donations.
This aims to prevent foreign influence in presidential transitions and enhance national security.
PROVISION 03
Makes it unlawful to make donations to an Inaugural Committee in the name of another person (straw donations) or to knowingly accept such donations.
This prevents donors from hiding their identities and sidestepping transparency requirements.
PROVISION 04
Prohibits the conversion of any Inaugural Committee donation to personal use, defining it as any use to fulfill a personal commitment or expense.
This prevents misuse of donated funds by committee members or other individuals for private gain.
PROVISION 05
Requires Inaugural Committees to disburse any remaining donated funds to a qualified 501(c)(3) charity within 90 days after the inaugural ceremony, with an option for extension from the FEC.
This ensures that surplus funds are used for public benefit rather than remaining with the committee or being improperly disbursed.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 4
D· Nevada
YRS IN OFFICE
9
BILLS LED
122
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 4 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 16
Introduced in Senate
JAN 16
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 118
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 16, 2025
Last actionJan 16, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 16, 2025
Senate BillS 118Government ethics and transparency, public corruptionFraud offenses and financial crimes
Inaugural Committee Transparency Act of 2025
INTRODUCED JAN 16, 2025· LAST ACTION JAN 16, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
3 min
COSPONSORS
4
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
