H.R. 7120House115th Congress (2017-2019)Enacted

To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to extend through 2023 the authority of the Federal Election Commission to impose civil money penalties on the basis of a schedule of penalties established and published by the Commission.

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 16, 2026 at 12:15 AM UTC

This bill updates the Federal Election Campaign Act to keep the Federal Election Commission’s power to levy civil money penalties based on a published schedule in place through the end of 2023. By extending the deadline, the bill ensures the FEC can continue using its schedule of penalties for violations of election‑law rules. The change mainly affects the FEC and any political campaigns, committees, or individuals that could be fined under the Act.

Key Provisions

Amends the law’s deadline, replacing the previous expiration of December 31, 2018 with a new expiration of December 31, 2023.
Specifies that the amendment takes effect on the earlier of December 31, 2018 or the date the bill becomes law.

Legislative Activity

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13 earlier actions

Became Law Latest Action

Became Public Law No: 115-386.

December 21, 2018

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

November 13, 2018

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Committee on House Administration

November 13, 2018

HouseFloor

Mr. Harper asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.

November 27, 2018 • 7:36 PM

HouseCommittee

Committee on House Administration discharged.

Committee on House Administration

November 27, 2018

HouseFloor

Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H9656)

November 27, 2018 • 7:36 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.(text: CR H9656)

November 27, 2018 • 7:37 PM

HouseFloor

On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H9656)

November 27, 2018 • 7:37 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

November 27, 2018 • 7:37 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate, read twice.

November 28, 2018

SenateFloor

Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7527)

December 12, 2018

SenateFloor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

December 13, 2018

President

Presented to President.

December 21, 2018

Became Law

Signed by President.

December 21, 2018

Became Law

Became Public Law No: 115-386.

December 21, 2018

Floor Debate

2 members

What members said about H.R. 7120 on the floor

2 Republicans

Rep. Gregg HarperR-MS-3 · Nov 27, 2018

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 7120) to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971…

Sen. Cory GardnerR-CO · Dec 12, 2018

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 7120, which was received from the House. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read…

Bill Text

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Enrolled BillPublication date not provided

One Hundred Fifteenth Congress of the United States of America

At the Second Session

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday, the third day of January, two thousand and eighteen

H. R. 7120

AN ACT

To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to extend through 2023 the authority of the Federal Election Commission to impose civil money penalties on the basis of a schedule of penalties established and published by the Commission.

Extension of administrative penalty authority of Federal Election Commission through 2023

(a)

Extension of authority

Section 309(a)(4)(C)(v) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30109(a)(4)(C)(v)) is amended by striking December 31, 2018 and inserting December 31, 2023.

(b)

Effective date

The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the earlier of—

(1)

December 31, 2018; or

(2)

the date of the enactment of this Act.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.