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H.R. 3954 115th Congress House

Empower Act of 2017

Official title: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reform the system of public financing for Presidential elections, and for other purposes.

Introduced: October 4, 2017 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Accounting and auditingCivil actions and liabilityConstitution and constitutional amendmentsElections, voting, political campaign regulation
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Government studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsInflation and pricesInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaJudicial review and appealsMembers of CongressPolitical advertisingPolitical parties and affiliationPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsPublic participation and lobbyingTax administration and collection, taxpayers
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This bill died when the 115th Congress ended
It never became law before the 115th Congress (2017–2018) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 4, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Oct 4, 2017
Introduced in House
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 Latest action October 4, 2017

Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Empower Act of 2017

This bill modifies the system for the public financing of presidential elections, including by (1) providing for 600% matching funds for campaign contributions that are smaller contributions; and (2) requiring a candidate, as a condition of eligibility for public financing, to agree not to accept certain bundled contributions or contributions of more than $1,000 from any person. The bill also modifies other election-related provisions, such as by expanding disclosure requirements related to certain bundled contributions made to presidential campaigns.

 Related & companion bills 6
  • HR 3537 We the People Act of 2017
  • HR 3848 We the People Democracy Reform Act of 2017
  • HR 3955 Empowering Citizens Act of 2017
  • S 1931 Empowering Citizens Act
  • S 1880 We the People Democracy Reform Act of 2017
  • S 1929 Empower Act of 2017
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3954: Empower Act of 2017. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-3954/
MLA
"H.R. 3954: Empower Act of 2017." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-3954/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3954, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-3954/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3954: Empower Act of 2017](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-3954/)
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