Sunlight on SuperPACs Act of 2026
Requires certain campaign communications paid for by qualifying independent expenditure committees to identify their top funders and payment amounts.
In the House Administration Committee since Sept. 24, 2026, 11 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 24, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- SENATESENATE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Political committees can pay for communications that urge people to vote for or against a candidate. The bill would require certain communications paid for by qualifying independent expenditure committees to identify their top funders and payment amounts. If a listed funder is a political committee, the communication would also identify that committee’s top funders.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Show the top funders in covered communications
Communications that expressly advocate for or against a clearly identified candidate, or qualify as electioneering communications, would have to include a Top Three Funders list when paid for in whole or in part by a covered independent expenditure committee. The list would name the three largest payers who each gave at least $5,000 during the prior 12 months and show their payment amounts.
- Trace funding through political committees
If someone on the Top Three Funders list is a political committee, the list would also name that committee’s two largest payers who each gave at least $5,000 during the prior 12 months, and show their payment amounts. When there is a tie for the relevant spot, the person paying for the communication would select one payer to list.
- Set which committees are covered
A covered independent expenditure committee would be one that makes at least $10,000 in independent expenditures during a calendar year, or makes contributions of $10,000 or more to other independent expenditure committees during that year.
The bill cites loopholes that can allow SuperPACs to fund campaign advertisements without identifying their funders until after an election. It says earlier disclosure could help voters assess who is trying to persuade them and make informed voting decisions.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 24, 2026HOUSESEP 24, 2026By Rep. Kaptur with 6 original cosponsorsReferred to Administration
- SAME DAYNOWHouse committeeSEP 24, 2026ADMINISTRATION NOWSEP 24, 2026In committee for 11 daysNo hearing yet
- 11 DAYS SO FARPassed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Senate committee—SENATE—
- Passed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- SEP 242026SEP 24, 2026REFERREDHOUSEReferred to the House Committee on House Administration.
- SEP 242026SEP 24, 2026INTRODUCEDHOUSEIntroduced in House
At day 11, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
A coalition from 6 states
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Rep. Kaptur’s record: sponsored 23 bills this Congress. 0 passed the House; 0 became law.
- Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.D-GA-2ORIGINAL
- Ed CaseD-HI-1ORIGINAL
- Adelita S. GrijalvaD-AZ-7ORIGINAL
- Kevin MullinD-CA-15ORIGINAL
- Eleanor Holmes NortonD-DC-ALORIGINAL
- Jill N. TokudaD-HI-2ORIGINAL
- Joe NeguseD-CO-2SEP 28, 2026
What readers think
Discussion
Get an alert when it changes stage, gets a floor vote in the House, or is signed into law.