Bennet Introduces Spotlight Act to Reverse Dark Money Rule and Increase Transparency in Elections

Legislation Would Hold Washington Accountable and Shed More Light on Major Campaign Contributors

Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today introduced the Spotlight Act to hold Washington accountable with a push to overturn a new rule allowing special interests to hide those who are funding political campaigns.

“The Treasury’s decision to further shield dark money from disclosure makes our dysfunctional campaign finance system even worse,” Bennet said. “At a time when our democracy is already under attack, we should increase transparency—not make it harder for the government to stop illegal foreign money from influencing our elections. Congress should pass the Spotlight Act immediately to overturn this rule.” 

The Spotlight Act would reverse the Treasury Department’s decision that allows non-profit organizations who engage in political activity to avoid disclosing certain donor information to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The bill would require three classes of nonprofit organizations—501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), and 501(c)(6)—to disclose to the IRS and to the public the names and information of donors who contribute more than $5,000.

The bill text is available HERE.