Bill Overview
Title: Stop Scam PACs Act
Description: This bill expands prohibitions with respect to fraudulent misrepresentation of campaign authority. For example, current law prohibits any person from fraudulently misrepresenting themselves as speaking or otherwise acting for or on behalf of any candidate or political party to solicit contributions or donations. The bill instead applies this prohibition to any misrepresentation and for purposes of soliciting money or any other thing of value.
Sponsors: Rep. Porter, Katie [D-CA-45]
Target Audience
Population: Global political campaign donors potentially affected by scam PACs
Estimated Size: 160000000
- The bill targets fraudulent political action committees (PACs) that misrepresent themselves to obtain donations.
- Anyone who donates to political campaigns or PACs could potentially be affected, as the bill aims to protect them from scams.
- The bill protects all donors by ensuring that their donations go to legitimate entities and purposes.
- Globally, political systems differ in the prominence and regulation of PACs; this influence varies.
Reasoning
- The Stop Scam PACs Act primarily targets fraudulent political committees that deceive donors into contributing under false pretenses. This targets a specific issue within the broader fundraising ecosystem.
- People who donate to political campaigns or PACs are most directly affected, as the act is designed to provide assurance that their contributions are going to their intended causes.
- Our interview sample includes a diversity of political donors, from those who regularly contribute large sums to those who make occasional small donations, reflecting the broad range of American donors.
- We also consider the potential for increased trust in political donations among the general population, which could lead to higher engagement from previously skeptical individuals.
- Given the budget constraints and estimations of how many people could be affected (160 million Americans), the policy's effects might not be immediately noticeable to everyone, especially in the initial years.
Simulated Interviews
Financial Analyst (New York, NY)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy is crucial to protect donors like me from being scammed.
- I've always been concerned about where my donations are going, so this gives me peace of mind.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Public School Teacher (Cleveland, OH)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don’t donate much, but any policy that makes sure my money isn’t wasted is welcome.
- It's important for transparency in political financing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Software Developer (Austin, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This can make me feel more secure about donating to causes I care about.
- I'm still wary, but this is a positive step.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Retired Nurse (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen people get tricked, so this law is important.
- However, enforcement will be key.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Graduate Student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing scams are being addressed makes me more likely to donate in the future.
- I hope this leads to broader reforms.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Small Business Owner (Miami, FL)
Age: 64 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill could restore my faith in political donations.
- I've been hesitant after past experiences, so this is welcome.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Chef (Minneapolis, MN)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I want to be sure the funds actually help the candidates I support.
- This act is a positive move for accountability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Freelance Writer (Denver, CO)
Age: 50 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased transparency could change my mind about donations.
- There's still more to be done.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Stay-at-home parent (Houston, TX)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’ve heard about scams online, so this law is reassuring.
- I hope it makes online donations safer.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired Federal Employee (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 70 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's vital to clean up the system.
- This bill is a necessary step but needs solid enforcement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 2: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 3: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The scope of enforcement and monitoring required by the FEC and other agencies.
- Potential legal challenges or adjustments needed in current regulation to enforce provisions effectively.
- Public awareness and understanding of new regulations to reduce susceptibility to fraud.