I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 7499 
To amend chapters 95 and 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to 
reform the system of public financing for Presidential election campaigns, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 29, 2024 
Mr. LIEU (for himself and Mrs. FOUSHEE) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition 
to the Committees on Ways and Means, and the Judiciary, for a period 
to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consider-
ation of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
concerned 
A BILL 
To amend chapters 95 and 96 of the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1986 to reform the system of public financing for 
Presidential election campaigns, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Empower Act of 2024’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents of 
this Act is as follows: 
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Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
TITLE I—PRIMARY ELECTIONS 
Sec. 101. Increase in and modifications to matching payments. 
Sec. 102. Eligibility requirements for matching payments. 
Sec. 103. Repeal of expenditure limitations. 
Sec. 104. Period of availability of matching payments. 
Sec. 105. Examination and audits of matchable contributions. 
Sec. 106. Modification to limitation on contributions for Presidential primary 
candidates. 
Sec. 107. Use of Freedom From Influence Fund as source of payments. 
TITLE II—GENERAL ELECTIONS 
Sec. 201. Modification of eligibility requirements for public financing. 
Sec. 202. Repeal of expenditure limitations and use of qualified campaign con-
tributions. 
Sec. 203. Matching payments and other modifications to payment amounts. 
Sec. 204. Increase in limit on coordinated party expenditures. 
Sec. 205. Establishment of uniform date for release of payments. 
Sec. 206. Amounts in Presidential Election Campaign Fund. 
Sec. 207. Use of general election payments for general election legal and ac-
counting compliance. 
Sec. 208. Use of Freedom From Influence Fund as source of payments. 
TITLE III—FREEDOM FROM INFLUENCE FUND 
Sec. 301. Freedom From Influence Fund. 
Sec. 302. Assessments against fines and penalties. 
TITLE IV—EFFECTIVE DATE 
Sec. 401. Effective date. 
TITLE I—PRIMARY ELECTIONS 
SEC. 101. INCREASE IN AND MODIFICATIONS TO MATCHING 
PAYMENTS. 
(a) INCREASE AND MODIFICATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The first sentence of section 
9034(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is 
amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘an amount equal to the 
amount of each contribution’’ and inserting ‘‘an 
amount equal to 600 percent of the amount of 
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each matchable contribution (disregarding any 
amount of contributions from any person to the 
extent that the total of the amounts contributed 
by such person for the election exceeds $200)’’; 
and 
(B) by striking ‘‘authorized committees’’ 
and all that follows through ‘‘$250’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘authorized committees’’. 
(2) 
MATCHABLE
CONTRIBUTIONS.—Section 
9034 of such Code is amended— 
(A) by striking the last sentence of sub-
section (a); and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
subsection: 
‘‘(c) MATCHABLE CONTRIBUTION DEFINED.—For 
purposes of this section and section 9033(b)— 
‘‘(1) MATCHABLE
CONTRIBUTION.—The term 
‘matchable contribution’ means, with respect to the 
nomination for election to the office of President of 
the United States, a contribution by an individual to 
a candidate or an authorized committee of a can-
didate with respect to which the candidate has cer-
tified in writing that— 
‘‘(A) the individual making such contribu-
tion has not made aggregate contributions (in-
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cluding such matchable contribution) to such 
candidate and the authorized committees of 
such candidate in excess of $1,000 for the elec-
tion; 
‘‘(B) such candidate and the authorized 
committees of such candidate will not accept 
contributions from such individual (including 
such matchable contribution) aggregating more 
than the amount described in subparagraph 
(A); and 
‘‘(C) such contribution was a direct con-
tribution. 
‘‘(2) CONTRIBUTION.—For purposes of this 
subsection, the term ‘contribution’ means a gift of 
money made by a written instrument which identi-
fies the individual making the contribution by full 
name and mailing address, but does not include a 
subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money, or 
anything of value or anything described in subpara-
graph (B), (C), or (D) of section 9032(4). 
‘‘(3) DIRECT CONTRIBUTION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of this 
subsection, 
the 
term 
‘direct 
contribution’ 
means, with respect to a candidate, a contribu-
tion which is made directly by an individual to 
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the candidate or an authorized committee of the 
candidate and is not— 
‘‘(i) forwarded from the individual 
making the contribution to the candidate 
or committee by another person; or 
‘‘(ii) received by the candidate or com-
mittee with the knowledge that the con-
tribution was made at the request, sugges-
tion, or recommendation of another person. 
‘‘(B) OTHER
DEFINITIONS.—In subpara-
graph (A)— 
‘‘(i) the term ‘person’ does not include 
an individual (other than an individual de-
scribed in section 304(i)(7) of the Federal 
Election Campaign Act of 1971), a polit-
ical committee of a political party, or any 
political committee which is not a separate 
segregated 
fund 
described 
in 
section 
316(b) of the Federal Election Campaign 
Act of 1971 and which does not make con-
tributions or independent expenditures, 
does not engage in lobbying activity under 
the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 
U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), and is not estab-
lished by, controlled by, or affiliated with 
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a registered lobbyist under such Act, an 
agent of a registered lobbyist under such 
Act, or an organization which retains or 
employs a registered lobbyist under such 
Act; and 
‘‘(ii) a contribution is not ‘made at 
the request, suggestion, or recommendation 
of another person’ solely on the grounds 
that the contribution is made in response 
to information provided to the individual 
making the contribution by any person, so 
long as the candidate or authorized com-
mittee does not know the identity of the 
person who provided the information to 
such individual.’’. 
(3) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(A) Section 9032(4) of such Code is 
amended by striking ‘‘section 9034(a)’’ and in-
serting ‘‘section 9034’’. 
(B) Section 9033(b)(3) of such Code is 
amended by striking ‘‘matching contributions’’ 
and inserting ‘‘matchable contributions’’. 
(b) MODIFICATION OF PAYMENT LIMITATION.—Sec-
tion 9034(b) of such Code is amended— 
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(1) by striking ‘‘The total’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The total’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘shall not exceed’’ and all that 
follows 
and 
inserting 
‘‘shall 
not 
exceed 
$250,000,000.’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(2) INFLATION ADJUSTMENT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In the case of any ap-
plicable period beginning after 2029, the dollar 
amount in paragraph (1) shall be increased by 
an amount equal to— 
‘‘(i) such dollar amount, multiplied by 
‘‘(ii) the cost-of-living adjustment de-
termined under section 1(f)(3) for the cal-
endar year following the year which such 
applicable period begins, determined by 
substituting ‘calendar year 2028’ for ‘cal-
endar year 1992’ in subparagraph (B) 
thereof. 
‘‘(B) APPLICABLE PERIOD.—For purposes 
of this paragraph, the term ‘applicable period’ 
means the 4-year period beginning with the 
first day following the date of the general elec-
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tion for the office of President and ending on 
the date of the next such general election. 
‘‘(C) ROUNDING.—If any amount as ad-
justed under subparagraph (1) is not a multiple 
of $10,000, such amount shall be rounded to 
the nearest multiple of $10,000.’’. 
SEC. 102. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR MATCHING 
PAYMENTS. 
(a) AMOUNT OF AGGREGATE CONTRIBUTIONS PER 
STATE; DISREGARDING OF AMOUNTS CONTRIBUTED IN 
EXCESS OF $200.—Section 9033(b)(3) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended— 
(1) 
by 
striking 
‘‘$5,000’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘$25,000’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘20 States’’ and inserting the 
following: ‘‘20 States (disregarding any amount of 
contributions from any such resident to the extent 
that the total of the amounts contributed by such 
resident for the election exceeds $200)’’. 
(b) CONTRIBUTION LIMIT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Paragraph (4) of section 
9033(b) of such Code is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(4) the candidate and the authorized commit-
tees of the candidate will not accept aggregate con-
tributions from any person with respect to the nomi-
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nation for election to the office of President of the 
United States in excess of $1,000 for the election.’’. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(A) Section 9033(b) of such Code is 
amended by adding at the end the following 
new flush sentence: 
‘‘For purposes of paragraph (4), the term ‘contribution’ 
has the meaning given such term in section 301(8) of the 
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.’’. 
(B) Section 9032(4) of such Code, as 
amended by section 101(a)(3)(A), is amended 
by striking ‘‘section 9034’’ and inserting ‘‘sec-
tion 9033(b) or 9034’’. 
(c) PARTICIPATION IN SYSTEM FOR PAYMENTS FOR 
GENERAL ELECTION.—Section 9033(b) of such Code is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph 
(3); 
(2) by striking the period at the end of para-
graph (4) and inserting ‘‘, and’’; and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the fol-
lowing new paragraph: 
‘‘(5) if the candidate is nominated by a political 
party for election to the office of President, the can-
didate will apply for and accept payments with re-
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spect to the general election for such office in ac-
cordance with chapter 95.’’. 
(d) PROHIBITION ON JOINT FUNDRAISING COMMIT-
TEES.—Section 9033(b) of such Code, as amended by sub-
section (c), is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph 
(4); 
(2) by striking the period at the end of para-
graph (5) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (5) the fol-
lowing new paragraph: 
‘‘(6) the candidate will not establish a joint 
fundraising committee with a political committee 
other than another authorized committee of the can-
didate, except that candidate established a joint 
fundraising committee with respect to a prior elec-
tion for which the candidate was not eligible to re-
ceive payments under section 9037 and the can-
didate does not terminate the committee, the can-
didate shall not be considered to be in violation of 
this paragraph so long as that joint fundraising 
committee does not receive any contributions or 
make any disbursements during the election cycle for 
which the candidate is eligible to receive payments 
under such section.’’. 
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SEC. 103. REPEAL OF EXPENDITURE LIMITATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (a) of section 9035 of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(a) PERSONAL EXPENDITURE LIMITATION.—No 
candidate shall knowingly make expenditures from his per-
sonal funds, or the personal funds of his immediate family, 
in connection with his campaign for nomination for elec-
tion to the office of President in excess of, in the aggre-
gate, $50,000.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Paragraph (1) of 
section 9033(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(1) the candidate will comply with the per-
sonal expenditure limitation under section 9035,’’. 
SEC. 104. PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY OF MATCHING PAY-
MENTS. 
Section 9032(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 is amended by striking ‘‘the beginning of the cal-
endar year in which a general election for the office of 
President of the United States will be held’’ and inserting 
‘‘the date that is 6 months prior to the date of the earliest 
State primary election’’. 
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SEC. 105. EXAMINATION AND AUDITS OF MATCHABLE CON-
TRIBUTIONS. 
Section 9038(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 is amended by inserting ‘‘and matchable contribu-
tions accepted by’’ after ‘‘qualified campaign expenses of’’. 
SEC. 106. MODIFICATION TO LIMITATION ON CONTRIBU-
TIONS FOR PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY CAN-
DIDATES. 
Section 315(a)(6) of the Federal Election Campaign 
Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30116(a)(6)) is amended by strik-
ing ‘‘calendar year’’ and inserting ‘‘four-year election 
cycle’’. 
SEC. 107. USE OF FREEDOM FROM INFLUENCE FUND AS 
SOURCE OF PAYMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 96 of subtitle H of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at 
the end the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 9043. USE OF FREEDOM FROM INFLUENCE FUND AS 
SOURCE OF PAYMENTS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other pro-
vision of this chapter, effective with respect to the Presi-
dential election held in 2028 and each succeeding Presi-
dential election, all payments made to candidates under 
this chapter shall be made from the Freedom From Influ-
ence Fund established under title III of the Empower Act 
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of 2024 (hereafter in this section referred to as the 
‘Fund’). 
‘‘(b) MANDATORY REDUCTION
OF PAYMENTS
IN 
CASE OF INSUFFICIENT AMOUNTS IN FUND.— 
‘‘(1) ADVANCE AUDITS BY COMMISSION.—Not 
later than 90 days before the first day of each Presi-
dential election cycle (beginning with the cycle for 
the election held in 2028), the Commission shall— 
‘‘(A) audit the Fund to determine whether 
the amounts remaining in the Fund will be suf-
ficient to make payments to candidates under 
this chapter in the amounts provided under this 
chapter during such election cycle; and 
‘‘(B) submit a report to Congress describ-
ing the results of the audit. 
‘‘(2) REDUCTIONS IN AMOUNT OF PAYMENTS.— 
‘‘(A) AUTOMATIC
REDUCTION
ON
PRO 
RATA BASIS.—If, on the basis of the audit de-
scribed in paragraph (1), the Commission deter-
mines that the amount anticipated to be avail-
able in the Fund with respect to the Presi-
dential election cycle involved is not, or may not 
be, sufficient to satisfy the full entitlements of 
candidates to payments under this chapter for 
such cycle, the Commission shall reduce each 
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amount which would otherwise be paid to a can-
didate under this chapter by such pro rata 
amount as may be necessary to ensure that the 
aggregate amount of payments anticipated to 
be made with respect to the cycle will not ex-
ceed the amount anticipated to be available for 
such payments in the Fund with respect to such 
cycle. 
‘‘(B) RESTORATION
OF
REDUCTIONS
IN 
CASE OF AVAILABILITY OF SUFFICIENT FUNDS 
DURING ELECTION CYCLE.—If, after reducing 
the amounts paid to candidates with respect to 
an election cycle under subparagraph (A), the 
Commission determines that there are sufficient 
amounts in the Fund to restore the amount by 
which such payments were reduced (or any por-
tion thereof), to the extent that such amounts 
are available, the Commission may make a pay-
ment on a pro rata basis to each such candidate 
with respect to the election cycle in the amount 
by which such candidate’s payments were re-
duced under subparagraph (A) (or any portion 
thereof, as the case may be). 
‘‘(C) NO USE OF AMOUNTS FROM OTHER 
SOURCES.—In any case in which the Commis-
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sion determines that there are insufficient mon-
eys in the Fund to make payments to can-
didates under this chapter, moneys shall not be 
made available from any other source for the 
purpose of making such payments. 
‘‘(3) NO EFFECT ON AMOUNTS TRANSFERRED 
FOR PEDIATRIC RESEARCH INITIATIVE.—This sec-
tion does not apply to the transfer of funds under 
section 9008(i). 
‘‘(4) PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTION
CYCLE
DE-
FINED.—In this section, the term ‘Presidential elec-
tion cycle’ means, with respect to a Presidential elec-
tion, the period beginning on the day after the date 
of the previous Presidential general election and 
ending on the date of the Presidential election.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
for chapter 96 of subtitle H of such Code is amended by 
adding at the end the following new item: 
‘‘Sec. 9043. Use of Freedom From Influence Fund as source of payments.’’. 
TITLE II—GENERAL ELECTIONS 
SEC. 201. MODIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 
FOR PUBLIC FINANCING. 
Subsection (a) of section 9003 of the Internal Rev-
enue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In order to be eligible to receive 
any payments under section 9006, the candidates of a po-
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litical party in a Presidential election shall meet the fol-
lowing requirements: 
‘‘(1) PARTICIPATION
IN
PRIMARY
PAYMENT 
SYSTEM.—The candidate for President received pay-
ments under chapter 96 for the campaign for nomi-
nation for election to be President. 
‘‘(2) AGREEMENTS
WITH
COMMISSION.—The 
candidates, in writing— 
‘‘(A) agree to obtain and furnish to the 
Commission such evidence as it may request of 
the qualified campaign expenses of such can-
didates, 
‘‘(B) agree to keep and furnish to the 
Commission such records, books, and other in-
formation as it may request, and 
‘‘(C) agree to an audit and examination by 
the Commission under section 9007 and to pay 
any amounts required to be paid under such 
section. 
‘‘(3) PROHIBITION
ON
JOINT
FUNDRAISING 
COMMITTEES.— 
‘‘(A) PROHIBITION.—The candidates cer-
tify in writing that the candidates will not es-
tablish a joint fundraising committee with a po-
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litical committee other than another authorized 
committee of the candidate. 
‘‘(B) STATUS
OF
EXISTING
COMMITTEES 
FOR PRIOR ELECTIONS.—If a candidate estab-
lished a joint fundraising committee described 
in subparagraph (A) with respect to a prior 
election for which the candidate was not eligible 
to receive payments under section 9006 and the 
candidate does not terminate the committee, 
the candidate shall not be considered to be in 
violation of subparagraph (A) so long as that 
joint fundraising committee does not receive 
any contributions or make any disbursements 
with respect to the election for which the can-
didate is eligible to receive payments under sec-
tion 9006.’’. 
SEC. 202. REPEAL OF EXPENDITURE LIMITATIONS AND USE 
OF QUALIFIED CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS. 
(a) USE OF QUALIFIED CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS 
WITHOUT EXPENDITURE LIMITS; APPLICATION OF SAME 
REQUIREMENTS FOR MAJOR, MINOR, AND NEW PAR-
TIES.—Section 9003 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 is amended by striking subsections (b) and (c) and 
inserting the following: 
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‘‘(b) USE OF QUALIFIED CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS 
TO DEFRAY EXPENSES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In order to be eligible to 
receive any payments under section 9006, the can-
didates of a party in a Presidential election shall 
certify to the Commission, under penalty of perjury, 
that— 
‘‘(A) such candidates and their authorized 
committees have not and will not accept any 
contributions to defray qualified campaign ex-
penses other than— 
‘‘(i) qualified campaign contributions, 
and 
‘‘(ii) contributions to the extent nec-
essary to make up any deficiency payments 
received out of the fund on account of the 
application of section 9006(c), and 
‘‘(B) such candidates and their authorized 
committees have not and will not accept any 
contribution to defray expenses which would be 
qualified campaign expenses but for subpara-
graph (C) of section 9002(11). 
‘‘(2) TIMING
OF
CERTIFICATION.—The can-
didate shall make the certification required under 
this subsection at the same time the candidate 
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makes the certification required under subsection 
(a)(3).’’. 
(b) DEFINITION
OF QUALIFIED CAMPAIGN CON-
TRIBUTION.—Section 9002 of such Code is amended by 
adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(13) QUALIFIED CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION.— 
The term ‘qualified campaign contribution’ means, 
with respect to any election for the office of Presi-
dent of the United States, a contribution from an in-
dividual to a candidate or an authorized committee 
of a candidate which— 
‘‘(A) does not exceed $1,000 for the elec-
tion; and 
‘‘(B) with respect to which the candidate 
has certified in writing that— 
‘‘(i) the individual making such con-
tribution has not made aggregate contribu-
tions (including such qualified contribu-
tion) to such candidate and the authorized 
committees of such candidate in excess of 
the amount described in subparagraph (A), 
and 
‘‘(ii) such candidate and the author-
ized committees of such candidate will not 
accept contributions from such individual 
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(including such qualified contribution) ag-
gregating more than the amount described 
in subparagraph (A) with respect to such 
election.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) REPEAL OF EXPENDITURE LIMITS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Section 315 of the Fed-
eral Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 
30116) is amended by striking subsection (b). 
(B) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 
315(c) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30116(c)) is 
amended— 
(i) in paragraph (1)(B)(i), by striking 
‘‘, (b)’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (2)(B)(i), by striking 
‘‘subsections (b) and (d)’’ and inserting 
‘‘subsection (d)’’. 
(2) REPEAL OF REPAYMENT REQUIREMENT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Section 9007(b) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by 
striking paragraph (2) and redesignating para-
graphs (3), (4), and (5) as paragraphs (2), (3), 
and (4), respectively. 
(B) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Para-
graph (2) of section 9007(b) of such Code, as 
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redesignated by subparagraph (A), is amend-
ed— 
(i) by striking ‘‘a major party’’ and 
inserting ‘‘a party’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘contributions (other 
than’’ and inserting ‘‘contributions (other 
than qualified contributions’’; and 
(iii) by striking ‘‘(other than qualified 
campaign expenses with respect to which 
payment is required under paragraph 
(2))’’. 
(3) CRIMINAL PENALTIES.— 
(A) REPEAL OF PENALTY FOR EXCESS EX-
PENSES.—Section 9012 of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986 is amended by striking subsection 
(a). 
(B) PENALTY FOR ACCEPTANCE OF DIS-
ALLOWED
CONTRIBUTIONS; APPLICATION
OF 
SAME PENALTY FOR CANDIDATES OF MAJOR, 
MINOR, AND NEW PARTIES.—Subsection (b) of 
section 9012 of such Code is amended to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(b) CONTRIBUTIONS.— 
‘‘(1) ACCEPTANCE OF DISALLOWED CONTRIBU-
TIONS.—It shall be unlawful for an eligible can-
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didate of a party in a Presidential election or any of 
his authorized committees knowingly and willfully to 
accept— 
‘‘(A) any contribution other than a quali-
fied campaign contribution to defray qualified 
campaign expenses, except to the extent nec-
essary to make up any deficiency in payments 
received out of the fund on account of the ap-
plication of section 9006(c); or 
‘‘(B) any contribution to defray expenses 
which would be qualified campaign expenses but 
for subparagraph (C) of section 9002(11). 
‘‘(2) PENALTY.—Any person who violates para-
graph (1) shall be fined not more than $5,000, or 
imprisoned not more than one year, or both. In the 
case of a violation by an authorized committee, any 
officer or member of such committee who knowingly 
and willfully consents to such violation shall be fined 
not more than $5,000, or imprisoned not more than 
one year, or both.’’. 
SEC. 203. MATCHING PAYMENTS AND OTHER MODIFICA-
TIONS TO PAYMENT AMOUNTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) AMOUNT OF PAYMENTS; APPLICATION OF 
SAME AMOUNT FOR CANDIDATES OF MAJOR, MINOR, 
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AND NEW PARTIES.—Subsection (a) of section 9004 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the provisions of this 
chapter, the eligible candidates of a party in a Presidential 
election shall be entitled to equal payment under section 
9006 in an amount equal to 600 percent of the amount 
of each matchable contribution received by such candidate 
or by the candidate’s authorized committees (disregarding 
any amount of contributions from any person to the extent 
that the total of the amounts contributed by such person 
for the election exceeds $200), except that total amount 
to which a candidate is entitled under this paragraph shall 
not exceed $250,000,000.’’. 
(2) REPEAL
OF
SEPARATE
LIMITATIONS
FOR 
CANDIDATES OF MINOR AND NEW PARTIES; INFLA-
TION ADJUSTMENT.—Subsection (b) of section 9004 
of such Code is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) INFLATION ADJUSTMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In the case of any applica-
ble period beginning after 2029, the $250,000,000 
dollar amount in subsection (a) shall be increased by 
an amount equal to— 
‘‘(A) such dollar amount; multiplied by 
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‘‘(B) the cost-of-living adjustment deter-
mined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar 
year following the year which such applicable 
period begins, determined by substituting ‘cal-
endar year 2028’ for ‘calendar year 1992’ in 
subparagraph (B) thereof. 
‘‘(2) APPLICABLE
PERIOD.—For purposes of 
this subsection, the term ‘applicable period’ means 
the 4-year period beginning with the first day fol-
lowing the date of the general election for the office 
of President and ending on the date of the next such 
general election. 
‘‘(3) ROUNDING.—If any amount as adjusted 
under paragraph (1) is not a multiple of $10,000, 
such amount shall be rounded to the nearest mul-
tiple of $10,000.’’. 
(3) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 
9005(a) of such Code is amended by adding at the 
end the following new sentence: ‘‘The Commission 
shall make such additional certifications as may be 
necessary to receive payments under section 9004.’’. 
(b) MATCHABLE CONTRIBUTION.—Section 9002 of 
such Code, as amended by section 202(b), is amended by 
adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
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‘‘(14) MATCHABLE CONTRIBUTION.—The term 
‘matchable contribution’ means, with respect to the 
election to the office of President of the United 
States, a contribution by an individual to a can-
didate or an authorized committee of a candidate 
with respect to which the candidate has certified in 
writing that— 
‘‘(A) the individual making such contribu-
tion has not made aggregate contributions (in-
cluding such matchable contribution) to such 
candidate and the authorized committees of 
such candidate in excess of $1,000 for the elec-
tion; 
‘‘(B) such candidate and the authorized 
committees of such candidate will not accept 
contributions from such individual (including 
such matchable contribution) aggregating more 
than the amount described in subparagraph (A) 
with respect to such election; and 
‘‘(C) such contribution was a direct con-
tribution (as defined in section 9034(c)(3)).’’. 
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SEC. 204. INCREASE IN LIMIT ON COORDINATED PARTY EX-
PENDITURES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 315(d)(2) of the Federal 
Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30116(d)(2)) 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(2)(A) The national committee of a political party 
may not make any expenditure in connection with the gen-
eral election campaign of any candidate for President of 
the United States who is affiliated with such party which 
exceeds $100,000,000. 
‘‘(B) For purposes of this paragraph— 
‘‘(i) any expenditure made by or on behalf of a 
national committee of a political party and in con-
nection with a Presidential election shall be consid-
ered to be made in connection with the general elec-
tion campaign of a candidate for President of the 
United States who is affiliated with such party; and 
‘‘(ii) any communication made by or on behalf 
of such party shall be considered to be made in con-
nection with the general election campaign of a can-
didate for President of the United States who is af-
filiated with such party if any portion of the commu-
nication is in connection with such election. 
‘‘(C) Any expenditure under this paragraph shall be 
in addition to any expenditure by a national committee 
of a political party serving as the principal campaign com-
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mittee of a candidate for the office of President of the 
United States.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TIM-
ING OF COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 315(c)(1) of such 
Act (52 U.S.C. 30116(c)(1)) is amended— 
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘(d)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘(d)(2)’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph: 
‘‘(D) In any calendar year after 2028— 
‘‘(i) the dollar amount in subsection (d)(2) shall 
be increased by the percent difference determined 
under subparagraph (A); 
‘‘(ii) the amount so increased shall remain in 
effect for the calendar year; and 
‘‘(iii) if the amount after adjustment under 
clause (i) is not a multiple of $100, such amount 
shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $100.’’. 
(2) BASE YEAR.—Section 315(c)(2)(B) of such 
Act (52 U.S.C. 30116(c)(2)(B)) is amended— 
(A) in clause (i)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘(d)’’ and inserting 
‘‘(d)(3)’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
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(B) in clause (ii), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
clause: 
‘‘(iii) for purposes of subsection (d)(2), cal-
endar year 2027.’’. 
SEC. 205. ESTABLISHMENT OF UNIFORM DATE FOR RE-
LEASE OF PAYMENTS. 
(a) DATE FOR PAYMENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 9006(b) of the In-
ternal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(b) PAYMENTS FROM THE FUND.—If the Secretary 
of the Treasury receives a certification from the Commis-
sion under section 9005 for payment to the eligible can-
didates of a political party, the Secretary shall pay to such 
candidates out of the fund the amount certified by the 
Commission on the later of— 
‘‘(1) the last Friday occurring before the first 
Monday in September; or 
‘‘(2) 24 hours after receiving the certifications 
for the eligible candidates of all major political par-
ties. 
Amounts paid to any such candidates shall be under the 
control of such candidates.’’. 
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(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The first sen-
tence of section 9006(c) of such Code is amended by 
striking ‘‘the time of a certification by the Commis-
sion under section 9005 for payment’’ and inserting 
‘‘the time of making a payment under subsection 
(b)’’. 
(b) TIME FOR CERTIFICATION.—Section 9005(a) of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking 
‘‘10 days’’ and inserting ‘‘24 hours’’. 
SEC. 206. AMOUNTS IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAM-
PAIGN FUND. 
Section 9006(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new 
sentence: ‘‘In making a determination of whether there are 
insufficient moneys in the fund for purposes of the pre-
vious sentence, the Secretary shall take into account in 
determining the balance of the fund for a Presidential 
election year the Secretary’s best estimate of the amount 
of moneys which will be deposited into the fund during 
the year, except that the amount of the estimate may not 
exceed the average of the annual amounts deposited in the 
fund during the previous 3 years.’’. 
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SEC. 207. USE OF GENERAL ELECTION PAYMENTS FOR GEN-
ERAL ELECTION LEGAL AND ACCOUNTING 
COMPLIANCE. 
Section 9002(11) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new 
sentence: ‘‘For purposes of subparagraph (A), an expense 
incurred by a candidate or authorized committee for gen-
eral election legal and accounting compliance purposes 
shall be considered to be an expense to further the election 
of such candidate.’’. 
SEC. 208. USE OF FREEDOM FROM INFLUENCE FUND AS 
SOURCE OF PAYMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 95 of subtitle H of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at 
the end the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 9013. USE OF FREEDOM FROM INFLUENCE FUND AS 
SOURCE OF PAYMENTS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other pro-
vision of this chapter, effective with respect to the Presi-
dential election held in 2028 and each succeeding Presi-
dential election, all payments made under this chapter 
shall be made from the Freedom From Influence Fund 
established under title III of the Empower Act of 2024. 
‘‘(b) MANDATORY REDUCTION
OF PAYMENTS
IN 
CASE OF INSUFFICIENT AMOUNTS IN FUND.— 
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‘‘(1) ADVANCE AUDITS BY COMMISSION.—Not 
later than 90 days before the first day of each Presi-
dential election cycle (beginning with the cycle for 
the election held in 2028), the Commission shall— 
‘‘(A) audit the Fund to determine whether, 
after first making payments to candidates 
under chapter 96, the amounts remaining in 
the Fund will be sufficient to make payments to 
candidates under this chapter in the amounts 
provided under this chapter during such elec-
tion cycle; and 
‘‘(B) submit a report to Congress describ-
ing the results of the audit. 
‘‘(2) REDUCTIONS IN AMOUNT OF PAYMENTS.— 
‘‘(A) AUTOMATIC
REDUCTION
ON
PRO 
RATA BASIS.—If, on the basis of the audit de-
scribed in paragraph (1), the Commission deter-
mines that the amount anticipated to be avail-
able in the Fund with respect to the Presi-
dential election cycle involved is not, or may not 
be, sufficient to satisfy the full entitlements of 
candidates to payments under this chapter for 
such cycle, the Commission shall reduce each 
amount which would otherwise be paid to a can-
didate under this chapter by such pro rata 
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amount as may be necessary to ensure that the 
aggregate amount of payments anticipated to 
be made with respect to the cycle will not ex-
ceed the amount anticipated to be available for 
such payments in the Fund with respect to such 
cycle. 
‘‘(B) RESTORATION
OF
REDUCTIONS
IN 
CASE OF AVAILABILITY OF SUFFICIENT FUNDS 
DURING ELECTION CYCLE.—If, after reducing 
the amounts paid to candidates with respect to 
an election cycle under subparagraph (A), the 
Commission determines that there are sufficient 
amounts in the Fund to restore the amount by 
which such payments were reduced (or any por-
tion thereof), to the extent that such amounts 
are available, the Commission may make a pay-
ment on a pro rata basis to each such candidate 
with respect to the election cycle in the amount 
by which such candidate’s payments were re-
duced under subparagraph (A) (or any portion 
thereof, as the case may be). 
‘‘(C) NO USE OF AMOUNTS FROM OTHER 
SOURCES.—In any case in which the Commis-
sion determines that there are insufficient mon-
eys in the Fund to make payments to can-
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didates under this chapter, moneys shall not be 
made available from any other source for the 
purpose of making such payments. 
‘‘(3) NO EFFECT ON AMOUNTS TRANSFERRED 
FOR PEDIATRIC RESEARCH INITIATIVE.—This sec-
tion does not apply to the transfer of funds under 
section 9008(i). 
‘‘(4) PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTION
CYCLE
DE-
FINED.—In this section, the term ‘Presidential elec-
tion cycle’ means, with respect to a Presidential elec-
tion, the period beginning on the day after the date 
of the previous Presidential general election and 
ending on the date of the Presidential election.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
for chapter 95 of subtitle H of such Code is amended by 
adding at the end the following new item: 
‘‘Sec. 9013. Use of Freedom From Influence Fund as source of payments.’’. 
TITLE III—FREEDOM FROM 
INFLUENCE FUND 
SEC. 301. FREEDOM FROM INFLUENCE FUND. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the 
Treasury a fund to be known as the ‘‘Freedom From In-
fluence Fund’’. 
(b) AMOUNTS HELD BY FUND.—The Fund shall con-
sist of amounts transferred under section 3015 of title 18, 
United States Code (as added by section 302(a)), section 
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9706 of title 31, United States Code (as added by section 
302(b)), and section 6761 of the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1986 (as added by section 302(c)). 
(c) USE OF FUND TO MAKE PAYMENTS TO CAN-
DIDATES.—Amounts in the Fund shall be available with-
out further appropriation or fiscal year limitation— 
(1) to make payments to candidates under 
chapter 95 of subtitle H of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986, subject to reductions under section 
9013(b) of such Code; and 
(2) to make payments to candidates under 
chapter 96 of subtitle H of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986, subject to reductions under section 
9043(b) of such Code. 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall take effect 
on the date of the enactment of this title. 
SEC. 302. ASSESSMENTS AGAINST FINES AND PENALTIES. 
(a) ASSESSMENTS RELATING
TO CRIMINAL OF-
FENSES.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Chapter 201 of title 18, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 3015. Special assessments for Freedom From Influ-
ence Fund 
‘‘(a) ASSESSMENTS.— 
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‘‘(1) CONVICTIONS OF CRIMES.—In addition to 
any assessment imposed under this chapter, the 
court shall assess on any organizational defendant or 
any defendant who is a corporate officer or person 
with equivalent authority in any other organization 
who is convicted of a criminal offense under Federal 
law an amount equal to 4.75 percent of any fine im-
posed on that defendant in the sentence imposed for 
that conviction. 
‘‘(2) SETTLEMENTS.—The court shall assess on 
any organizational defendant or defendant who is a 
corporate officer or person with equivalent authority 
in any other organization who has entered into a 
settlement agreement or consent decree with the 
United States in satisfaction of any allegation that 
the defendant committed a criminal offense under 
Federal law an amount equal to 4.75 percent of the 
amount of the settlement. 
‘‘(b) MANNER
OF COLLECTION.—An amount as-
sessed under subsection (a) shall be collected in the man-
ner in which fines are collected in criminal cases. 
‘‘(c) TRANSFERS.—In a manner consistent with sec-
tion 3302(b) of title 31, there shall be transferred from 
the General Fund of the Treasury to the Freedom From 
Influence Fund under title III of the Empower Act of 
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2024 an amount equal to the amount of the assessments 
collected under this section.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions of chapter 201 of title 18, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘3015. Special assessments for Freedom From Influence Fund.’’. 
(b) ASSESSMENTS
RELATING
TO
CIVIL
PEN-
ALTIES.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Chapter 97 of title 31, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 9706. Special assessments for Freedom From Influ-
ence Fund 
‘‘(a) ASSESSMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) CIVIL PENALTIES.—Any entity of the Fed-
eral Government which is authorized under any law, 
rule, or regulation to impose a civil penalty shall as-
sess on each person, other than a natural person 
who is not a corporate officer or person with equiva-
lent authority in any other organization, on whom 
such a penalty is imposed an amount equal to 4.75 
percent of the amount of the penalty. 
‘‘(2) ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES.—Any entity 
of the Federal Government which is authorized 
under any law, rule, or regulation to impose an ad-
ministrative penalty shall assess on each person, 
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other than a natural person who is not a corporate 
officer or person with equivalent authority in any 
other organization, on whom such a penalty is im-
posed an amount equal to 4.75 percent of the 
amount of the penalty. 
‘‘(3) SETTLEMENTS.—Any entity of the Federal 
Government which is authorized under any law, rule, 
or regulation to enter into a settlement agreement or 
consent decree with any person, other than a natural 
person who is not a corporate officer or person with 
equivalent authority in any other organization, in 
satisfaction of any allegation of an action or omis-
sion by the person which would be subject to a civil 
penalty or administrative penalty shall assess on 
such person an amount equal to 4.75 percent of the 
amount of the settlement. 
‘‘(b) MANNER
OF COLLECTION.—An amount as-
sessed under subsection (a) shall be collected— 
‘‘(1) in the case of an amount assessed under 
paragraph (1) of such subsection, in the manner in 
which civil penalties are collected by the entity of the 
Federal Government involved; 
‘‘(2) in the case of an amount assessed under 
paragraph (2) of such subsection, in the manner in 
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which administrative penalties are collected by the 
entity of the Federal Government involved; and 
‘‘(3) in the case of an amount assessed under 
paragraph (3) of such subsection, in the manner in 
which amounts are collected pursuant to settlement 
agreements or consent decrees entered into by the 
entity of the Federal Government involved. 
‘‘(c) TRANSFERS.—In a manner consistent with sec-
tion 3302(b) of this title, there shall be transferred from 
the General Fund of the Treasury to the Freedom From 
Influence Fund under title III of the Empower Act of 
2024 an amount equal to the amount of the assessments 
collected under this section. 
‘‘(d) EXCEPTION
FOR PENALTIES
AND SETTLE-
MENTS UNDER AUTHORITY OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE 
CODE OF 1986.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—No assessment shall be 
made under subsection (a) with respect to any civil 
or administrative penalty imposed, or any settlement 
agreement or consent decree entered into, under the 
authority of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 
‘‘(2) CROSS
REFERENCE.—For application of 
special assessments for the Freedom From Influence 
Fund with respect to certain penalties under the In-
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ternal Revenue Code of 1986, see section 6761 of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions of chapter 97 of title 31, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘9706. Special assessments for Freedom From Influence Fund.’’. 
(c) ASSESSMENTS RELATING
TO CERTAIN PEN-
ALTIES UNDER
THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
OF 
1986.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 68 of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the 
end the following new subchapter: 
‘‘Subchapter D—Special Assessments for 
Freedom From Influence Fund 
‘‘SEC. 6761. SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS FOR FREEDOM FROM 
INFLUENCE FUND. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Each person required to pay a 
covered penalty shall pay an additional amount equal to 
4.75 percent of the amount of such penalty. 
‘‘(b) COVERED PENALTY.—For purposes of this sec-
tion, the term ‘covered penalty’ means any addition to tax, 
additional amount, penalty, or other liability provided 
under subchapter A or B. 
‘‘(c) EXCEPTION FOR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a taxpayer 
who is an individual, subsection (a) shall not apply 
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to any covered penalty if such taxpayer is an exempt 
taxpayer for the taxable year for which such covered 
penalty is assessed. 
‘‘(2) EXEMPT TAXPAYER.—For purposes of ths 
subsection, a taxpayer is an exempt taxpayer for any 
taxable year if the taxable income of such taxpayer 
for such taxable year does not exceed the dollar 
amount at which begins the highest rate bracket in 
effect under section 1 with respect to such taxpayer 
for such taxable year. 
‘‘(d) APPLICATION OF CERTAIN RULES.—Except as 
provided in subsection (e), the additional amount deter-
mined under subsection (a) shall be treated for purposes 
of this title in the same manner as the covered penalty 
to which such additional amount relates. 
‘‘(e) TRANSFER
TO FREEDOM FROM INFLUENCE 
FUND.—The Secretary shall deposit any additional 
amount under subsection (a) in the General Fund of the 
Treasury and shall transfer from such General Fund to 
the Freedom From Influence Fund established under sec-
tion title III of the Empower Act of 2024 an amount equal 
to the amounts so deposited (and, notwithstanding sub-
section (d), such additional amount shall not be the basis 
for any deposit, transfer, credit, appropriation, or any 
other payment, to any other trust fund or account). Rules 
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similar to the rules of section 9601 shall apply for pur-
poses of this subsection.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sub-
chapters for chapter 68 of such Code is amended by 
adding at the end the following new item: 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER D—SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS FOR FREEDOM FROM INFLUENCE 
FUND’’. 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), the amendments made by this section 
shall apply with respect to convictions, agreements, 
and penalties which occur on or after the date of the 
enactment of this Act. 
(2) ASSESSMENTS RELATING TO CERTAIN PEN-
ALTIES UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 
1986.—The amendments made by subsection (c) 
shall apply to covered penalties assessed after the 
date of the enactment of this Act. 
TITLE IV—EFFECTIVE DATE 
SEC. 401. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as otherwise provided, this 
Act and the amendments made by this Act shall apply 
with respect to the Presidential election held in 2028 and 
each succeeding Presidential election, without regard to 
whether or not the Federal Election Commission has pro-
mulgated the final regulations necessary to carry out this 
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Act and the amendments made by this Act by the deadline 
set forth in subsection (b). 
(b) DEADLINE FOR REGULATIONS.—Not later than 
June 30, 2026, the Federal Election Commission shall 
promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to carry 
out this Act and the amendments made by this Act. 
Æ 
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