AMAC Action Backs Kentucky Bill at Forefront of Election Integrity Push

AMAC Action is leading a grassroots effort in Kentucky in support of House Bill 45, a common-sense measure that strengthens campaign finance transparency to prevent wealthy foreign donors from unfairly influencing state and local elections.

According to the Federal Elections Campaign Act, foreign nationals are prohibited from contributing to candidates for public office in the United States. However, in 2021 the Federal Elections Commission ruled that this same restriction does not apply to state ballot measures, creating a loophole that allows foreign entities to influence American state and local policies.

Recent years have seen an alarming uptick in foreign contributions to state ballot initiatives – most notably efforts to erode protections for the unborn following the Dobbs Supreme Court decision in 2022. In Ohio, for instance, more than $14 million in foreign money poured in to support ballot measures reducing penalties for fentanyl possession and codifying radical pro-abortion laws in the Ohio Constitution.

According to a report from National Review last October, “The Sixteen Thirty Fund, an organization bankrolled by left-wing Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss funneled $23 million into statewide ballot campaigns” in 2024 alone. In total, over the past decade, “Sixteen Thirty Fund has spent $115 million on statewide ballot campaigns across 25 states to advance liberal priorities.”

The expansive influence of the Sixteen Thirty Fund has raised serious concerns about the potential of U.S. adversaries meddling in American politics. Chinese or Russian entities could theoretically work behind the scenes to sow unrest and discord in the United States under the guise of contributing to state ballot campaigns.

In response to this urgent and growing crisis, at least nine states have passed laws prohibiting foreign nationals or governments from funding state ballot initiatives. This issue has crossed political lines, with liberal states such as Maryland, Washington, and California joining conservative states such as North Dakota, South Dakota, and Ohio in enacting bans.

Kentucky could now become the next state to enact a ban and build on the momentum to get foreign money out of state and local politics. “This measure is a crucial step to ensure Bluegrass State voters, not shadowy foreign billionaires, determine Kentucky law,” said AMAC Action Senior Vice President Andy Mangione. “We look forward to continuing to work with the Kentucky state legislature to get this important measure passed as quickly as possible to ensure the integrity of Kentucky’s elections.”

Kentucky residents can ask their state representatives to support HB 45 HERE. 

Legislation and Policy Support

H.R. 1026 – Primary Care Enhancement Act

This legislation will expand healthcare freedom by allowing individuals with Health Savings Accounts (HSA) to access Direct Primary Care (DPC) – a proven model that lowers costs, improves patient outcomes, and empowers patients. By allowing HSA funds to be used for DPC, more Americans will be able to proactively manage their health and reduce long-term reliance on expensive emergency care. This is a common-sense reform that promotes early intervention, patient choice, and personal responsibility in healthcare. Click here to read AMAC Action’s letter of support.

S. 527 – Prescription Pricing for the People Act

This legislation instructs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to thoroughly investigate the business practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBM)—a necessary step toward ensuring fair pricing and transparency in the prescription drug market. PBM anti-competitive practices continue to drive up drug costs, and AMAC Action has been a leader in urging Congress and the FTC to shine a light on these harmful business practices. Click here to read AMAC Action’s letter of support.

S. 526 – PBM Transparency Act

This bill ensures that PBMs can no longer manipulate pricing, prioritize profits over patients, or exploit loopholes that drive up costs. This legislation is critical to ensuring greater accountability and transparency in the operations of pharmacy benefit managers, which will help drive down prescription drug costs for seniors. Click here to read AMAC Action’s letter of support.

S. 458 – Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act

Eliminating taxes on Social Security is one of AMAC Action’s top priorities, as seniors should never have to pay taxes twice on the benefits they spent a lifetime earning.  This bill allows seniors to keep more of their hard-earned retirement income and will restore fairness by ensuring that Social Security benefits are not counted as taxable income – a move that will immediately reduce tax burdens and increase retirement security for millions of older Americans. Click here to read AMAC Action’s letter of support.

H.R. 224 – Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act

This legislation addresses a significant inequity in housing assistance eligibility for our nation’s veterans by ensuring that service-connected disability compensation is excluded from income requirements for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) assistance. This bill also requires a comprehensive report to Congress on how service-connected disability compensation is treated across all Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-administered programs. Click here to read AMAC Action’s letter of support.

Washington State HB 1165 – Bill to Expand Tax Relief for Seniors in Washington

This bill expands the existing property tax exemption extended to Washington’s seniors, people retired due to disability, and veterans with disabilities. Click here to read AMAC Action’s letter of support.

Meetings

February 11 All-State Meeting: AMAC Action Midwest Regional Advocacy Representative John Whelan hosted the Minnesota All-State Meeting and Minnesota State Representative Pam Altendorf (District 20A) gave a State House legislative summary.

Action ☆ Academy 

What Does Separation of Church and State Mean?

In PragerU’s 5-minute video, What Does Separation of Church and State Mean? John Eastman, professor of law at Chapman University, explains where this phrase comes from and how the Founders truly envisioned the role of the church in America. PragerU is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that promotes American values in short educational videos for people of all ages.

Term of the Week: Audit

“An audit is the review or inspection of a company or individual’s accounts by an independent body. Auditors may be hired internally by the company or work for an external third-party firm. Almost all companies conduct a yearly audit of their financial statements. This includes the review of statements such as the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement…

Audits are a necessary and important part of the financial world because a company’s financial health and well-being can’t be upheld without proper accounting. Routine audits ensure that companies are following reporting standards and that they’re being truthful and honest about their financial position. Audits are particularly important for shareholders and lenders as well as consumers and suppliers.”

(Tuovila, Alicia. “Audit: What It Means in Finance and Accounting, 3 Main Types.” Investopedia, 2022, www.investopedia.com/terms/a/audit.asp.)

Class for January and February

Great Books 101: Ancient to Medieval

Reading great literature can help improve critical thinking skills, broaden your understanding of the world around you, and provide insight into human nature. In the free online course Great Books 101: Ancient to Medieval, Hillsdale College introduces you to great literature from early authors of Western Civilization. In 11 sessions learn about such classics as Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, Dante’s Inferno, and Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.

Quote of the Week

“There’s one thing about corruption in government — it’s like cockroaches. If you see one, you know there are a hundred more.“

— Senator John Kennedy

Fight to save the America we love! If you’d like to become a volunteer AMAC Action Delegate, please contact us at (855) 809-6976 or [email protected].