US EditionWatchdogs: New Montana law restricting foreign money in elections insufficient
- Montana passed a law in 2025 banning non-U.S. Citizens from contributing to ballot measure campaigns, becoming the sixth state to do so this year.
- The legislation was introduced during a period of increasing state restrictions on foreign funding, but it allows U.S.-headquartered firms with international investors to be exempt if they fulfill state tax obligations and rely solely on funds generated domestically.
- Watchdog groups say Montana's law fails to prevent American advocacy groups, like the Sixteen Thirty Fund, from using foreign funds via intermediaries to influence ballot measures.
- Since 2016, Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss has contributed no less than $280 million to the Sixteen Thirty Fund, which has invested over $3 million in Montana ballot measures and more than $130 million on initiatives across the U.S. Over the last ten years.
- Critics including Jason Snead and Kristen Christensen argue the law’s loopholes risk foreign adversaries like Russia and China exploiting Montana’s elections, urging stronger protections and a veto by Governor Gianforte.
Insights by Ground AI
Does this summary seem wrong?
34 Articles
34 Articles
All
Left
1
Center
5
Right
7
Watauga Democrat+33 Reposted by 33other sources
Watchdogs: New Montana law restricting foreign money in elections insufficient
(The Center Square) – Montana recently became the sixth state this year to pass a ban on foreign spending on ballot measures. Watchdog organizations, however, say the state’s new law is inadequate.
·Calhoun, United States
Read Full ArticleCoverage Details
Total News Sources34
Leaning Left1Leaning Right7Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution54% Right
Bias Distribution
- 54% of the sources lean Right
54% Right
C 38%
R 54%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage
