Reps. Khanna and Luna Introduce the No Campaign Funded Cover-Ups Act

Washington, DC – Today, Representatives Ro Khanna (CA-17) and Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13) introduced the No Campaign Funded Cover-Ups Act to prohibit candidates for federal office and federal officeholders from using campaign contributions or legal expense funds to cover costs related to sexual assault, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment claims. By requiring more detailed reporting of campaign-related legal expenses, the bill will also give the public greater transparency into how political funds are being used. 

"Survivors must be heard and respected,” said Congressman Ro Khanna. “Our bipartisan legislation addresses a basic principle: money donated to support a political campaign should not become a personal legal-defense fund for alleged sexual misconduct. Our bill will increase public transparency and help prevent attempts to silence those who come forward about abuse.” 

“Those who seek or hold federal office must be held to the highest standard of accountability,” said Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna. “If a candidate is accused of sexual assault, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, campaign donations and legal expense funds should never become a personal bailout. If you commit sexual misconduct, you should foot the bill, not the donors who put their trust in you.” 

"Across the country, too many powerful men are relying on the silence of women to win elections or cling to power. This bill sends a strong message: no more campaign funded cover ups," said Cheyenne Hunt, Executive Director, Reckoning Action. "Standing with survivors is not a partisan issue. We were proud to work with Rep. Khanna and Rep. Luna to ensure survivor experiences were centered throughout this process." 

Specifically, the legislation will: 

• Prohibit campaign and legal defense funds from paying legal fees to defend against such claims. 
• Ban those funds from paying settlements or court-ordered judgments arising from such claims. 
• Prohibit payments for private investigators or opposition research intended to investigate or uncover damaging information about a person who brought a claim. 
• Apply these restrictions to payments made during the two years before the law’s enactment. Require campaigns to disclose more information about all legal expenses, including the recipient, amount, date, purpose, type of legal payment, and whose expenses were covered. 

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