Contact Congress about S. 1849: Zeroing Out Money for Buying Influence after Elections (ZOMBIE) Act
Former federal candidates would have to clear out leftover campaign and leadership PAC money after an election. They could pay debts, refund donors, or give to approved charities, but not charities closely tied to them or their family.
Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
Zeroing Out Money for Buying Influence after Elections (ZOMBIE) Act is a Senate bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Latest action on S. 1849: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects former federal candidates, their campaign committees, and their leadership PACs. It also affects donors, charities that might receive leftover campaign money, and former candidates who later become lobbyists or foreign agents.
Why this matters: Leftover campaign money can sit in political accounts after a race ends. This bill would push candidates to close out that money and limit where it can go. It aims to reduce the chance that former candidates use old campaign funds to build influence after leaving the campaign trail. It could also make post-election money flows clearer, but it may limit uses that are legal today.
Key provisions in S. 1849
- Committees must clear out all leftover money by the earliest of three deadlines. The deadline is either the end of the 6-month spending-down period, the date the former candidate first must register as a lobbyist, or the date the former candidate must register as a foreign agent.
- The spending-down rule does not apply if the person files to run again in time. They must properly file under state law before the period starts, and the next race may be for the same or another federal office.
- Committees must pay their bills first. After that, any money left can only go back to donors or to eligible charities and similar groups under section 170(c) of the tax code.
- Committees and leadership PACs cannot send leftover money to charities closely tied to the candidate. That includes charities the candidate started, charities using the candidate's name, or groups where the candidate or a relative works, serves as an officer, or provides services.
- Committees cannot pay the candidate's relatives during the spending-down period. The only exception is payment for a real committee debt that is reported, or would have to be reported if it were over $200.
How Modern Action helps you take action on S. 1849
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
Questions people ask about S. 1849
- What is S. 1849?
- Former federal candidates would have to clear out leftover campaign and leadership PAC money after an election. They could pay debts, refund donors, or give to approved charities, but not charities closely tied to them or their family.
- How do I support or oppose S. 1849?
- Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.
- Who should I contact about S. 1849?
- Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.
- Can Modern Action explain S. 1849 before I act?
- Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.
