Stop Super PAC-Candidate Coordination Act

This bill aims to cut down on behind-the-scenes coordination between federal candidates and outside groups. If an outside group works with a candidate on ads or strategy, its spending would count as a donation to that candidate and be subject to donation limits and bans. The bill explains what “coordination” looks like, such as sharing campaign plans, overlapping consultants, raising money for the group, or close ties through family or former staff. It makes clear that normal news coverage and candidate debates do not count as coordination. Violators can face big fines, and leaders of a violating group can be held responsible if the group doesn’t pay. The Federal Election Commission must replace its old coordination rules to match these changes. These rules start 120 days after the law takes effect, and the old rules are repealed after 90 days.

It also bars federal candidates and officeholders from raising money for super PACs or similar groups that take unlimited or otherwise noncompliant donations. That fundraising ban applies to elections after January 1, 2026.

Key points

• Who is affected: Federal candidates and officeholders, super PACs and some 527 organizations, outside spenders, and campaign consultants.
• What changes: Coordinated spending is treated like a direct contribution; “covered communications” include ads that support, oppose, or even just mention a candidate close to an election; special rules apply so House/Senate ads must run in the candidate’s district or state; steep fines for violations.
• When: Old FEC coordination rules end 90 days after enactment; new rules apply to spending 120 days after enactment; the fundraising ban kicks in for elections after January 1, 2026.