HELENA – A new proposal to ban Montana campaign spending by foreign nationals that was introduced in the Legislature on Wednesday has strong support from Gov. Steve Bullock.
Sen. Nate McConnell (D-Missoula) is sponsoring the bill, which says foreign nationals cannot contribute to independent expenditures for candidates or PACs –– making the action illegal.
Gov. Bullock says the US Supreme Court ruling in the Citizens United case created a loophole that enables foreign governments or agents to spend on elections in America.
He adds that they have formed shell corporations and send money through those corporations. Gov. Bullock says Senate Bill 326 closes this loophole.
“Montana elections ought to be decided by Montanans, not foreign governments or foreign corporations,” Gov. Bullock said.
“Now’s the time to stand up to work across the aisle to continue to fight for a system where government works for Montanans and not anybody else. The foreign money ban does exactly that,” the Democrat added.
The bill has not yet been scheduled for a committee hearing.
