Sponsors (23)
The bill increases transparency and reduces pay‑to‑play risk at Presidential Libraries/Centers, but does so by sharply limiting fundraising and adding substantial compliance burdens and legal risks for donors and institutions.
Taxpayers and the public face lower risk of pay-to-play influence because donations from foreign nationals, federal contractors, lobbyists, and pardon-seekers to Presidential Libraries/Centers are banned for defined periods.
Taxpayers and researchers gain greater transparency because NARA must publish searchable, quarterly donor reports (names, addresses, employers, occupations, dates, amounts) on its website.
Donors and the public are better protected from misuse of funds because the bill prohibits converting donations to personal use and authorizes remedies like disgorgement and injunctions.
Presidential Libraries/Centers and taxpayers may see reduced funding for preservation and programming because the bill bans many donor categories and caps aggregate donations at $10,000 during a president's term plus one year.
Presidential Libraries/Centers and their staff face substantial new administrative and compliance costs from frequent reporting, indexing rules, and required rulemaking.
A broad statutory definition of 'donation' (including indirect payments and payments for personal services) could sweep in routine transactions, creating legal uncertainty for donors and institutions.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Defines "Presidential Libraries and Centers" and bars specified donors (e.g., foreign nationals, federal contractors, non-501(c)(3) donors, registered agents of foreign principals) from giving or promising donations while the library subject is serving as or has been elected President.
Official title: To amend section 2112 of title 44, United States Code, to appropriately limit donations to Presidential Libraries and Centers.
Introduced July 16, 2025 by Jared Moskowitz · Last progress July 16, 2025
Prohibits specified categories of donors from giving money, things of value, or paid services to Presidential Libraries and related centers while the library subject is serving as President or has been elected President. The bill creates new statutory definitions (for “donation,” “Presidential Library or Center,” foreign national, federal contractor, 501(c)(3), and registered agent of a foreign principal) and treats a broad set of transfers and payments as donations, while excluding uncompensated volunteer services. The restriction applies at the time a donation or promise to donate is made or agreed to be received and covers donations to the library or center, its officers or employees, and the Archivist. The amendment is narrowly focused on fundraising and private entities affiliated with Presidents rather than on federal appropriations or program authorizations.