H.R.2356 - Dual Loyalty Disclosure Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2356, the Dual Loyalty Disclosure Act, aims to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971. It requires candidates for federal office to disclose if they hold citizenship in any country other than the United States. The bill seeks to ensure transparency regarding potential dual loyalties of candidates.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill, if enacted, would be to add a new disclosure requirement for candidates. This would provide voters with additional information about a candidate's potential allegiances. It might influence voter decisions based on perceptions of divided loyalty.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in candidate disclosures.
- Provides voters with more information to assess potential conflicts of interest.
- May deter individuals with divided loyalties from seeking office.
- Could enhance public trust in the electoral process.
- Addresses concerns about foreign influence in US elections.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May create unnecessary burdens for naturalized citizens.
- Could be used to unfairly target candidates based on national origin.
- Potential for increased discrimination and xenophobia in political campaigns.
- May not effectively address actual conflicts of interest.
- Could discourage qualified individuals from running for office.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality is debatable. While Congress has the power to regulate federal elections, the disclosure requirement could be challenged as infringing on individual liberties or equal protection if applied discriminatorily. The First Amendment protects freedom of association, and this bill could be argued to infringe upon that right if it unduly burdens a candidate's ability to run for office based on their citizenship status. However, disclosure requirements are generally upheld as long as they are narrowly tailored and serve a compelling government interest.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).