Investigate the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

by: B. Woodford

recipient: Federal Election Commission

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a 501(c)(6) organization, does not dispute the use of their general account to finance political advertising. Nor do they dispute the commingling of foreign funds in that same account. The funds are from Bahrain, China, Abu Dhabi, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Russia, India and other countries. The Chamber claims to have a mechanism in place to prevent foreign funding for their political activities. The integrity of our elections and our Democracy are too crucial to just take their word for it.



The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) prohibits any foreign national from contributing, donating or spending funds in connection with any federal, state, or local election in the United States, either directly or indirectly. It is also unlawful to help foreign nationals violate that ban or to solicit, receive or accept contributions or donations from them. Persons who knowingly and willfully engage in these activities may be subject to fines and/or imprisonment, (Source: FEC Foreign Nationals brochure)



Foreign nationals are defined, in part, as foreign governments, political parties, corporations, associations or partnerships: soliciting accepting or receiving contributions and donations from foreign nationals is prohibited.



If the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is funneling foreign funds into their general account to finance campaign ads, that is a threat to our Democracy. By Congressional mandate, the Federal Election Commission has an obligation to investigate to ensure that foreign nationals are not contributing to political races with the assistance of the Chamber.

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I am concerned about the allegation that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is funneling foreign funds into their general account to finance campaign advertising. If true, their actions are a threat to our Democracy. Congress created the Federal Election Commission to administer and enforce the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) - the statute that governs the financing of federal elections.



As you are aware, FECA prohibits any foreign national from contributing, donating or spending funds in connection with any federal, state, or local election in the United States, either directly or indirectly. It is also unlawful to help foreign nationals violate that ban or to solicit, receive or accept contributions or donations from them.



Investigate the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to ensure that they are not engaging in the unethical practice of using foreign funds to influence our elections. Dear Chairman Peterson,I am concerned about the allegation that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is funneling foreign funds into their general account to finance campaign advertising. If true, their actions are a threat to our Democracy. Congress created the Federal Election Commission to administer and enforce the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) - the statute that governs the financing of federal elections.As you are aware, FECA prohibits any foreign national from contributing, donating or spending funds in connection with any federal, state, or local election in the United States, either directly or indirectly. It is also unlawful to help foreign nationals violate that ban or to solicit, receive or accept contributions or donations from them.Investigate the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to ensure that they are not engaging in the unethical practice of using foreign funds to influence our elections.