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H.R. 1279House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Shell Company Abuse Act

Sponsored by Colin Z. AllredRep. Colin Z. Allred (D-TX)
Introduced February 24, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 7, 2026 at 11:13 PM UTC

The Shell Company Abuse Act amends Title 18 of the U.S. Code to make it a crime to create or use a corporation, company, or similar entity for the purpose of hiding election contributions or donations from foreign nationals. It targets owners, officers, attorneys, and incorporation agents who intend to conceal such prohibited foreign activity. Violations carry up to five years in prison, fines, or both, aiming to protect the integrity of U.S. elections from foreign influence.

Key Provisions

  • Creates a new criminal offense (Section 612) that prohibits establishing or using a corporation to conceal foreign nationals' election contributions prohibited under the Federal Election Campaign Act.
  • Applies to owners, officers, attorneys, and incorporation agents of the corporation or entity.
  • Sets penalties of up to five years imprisonment, fines, or both for anyone who violates the prohibition.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee

April 28, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 24, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

February 24, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee

April 28, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued February 24, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1279

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 24, 2021

Mr. Allred (for himself and Mr. Levin of Michigan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the establishment of a corporation to conceal election contributions and donations by foreign nationals.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Shell Company Abuse Act.

2.

Prohibition

(a)

In general

Chapter 29 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

612.

Establishment of corporation to conceal election contributions and donations by foreign nationals

(a)

Offense

It shall be unlawful for an owner, officer, attorney, or incorporation agent of a corporation, company, or other entity to establish or use the corporation, company, or other entity with the intent to conceal an activity of a foreign national (as defined in section 319 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30121)) prohibited under such section 319.

(b)

Penalty

Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be imprisoned for not more than 5 years, fined under this title, or both.

.

(b)

Table of sections

The table of sections for chapter 29 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 611 the following:

612. Establishment of corporation to conceal election contributions and donations by foreign nationals.

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