51黑料

U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell has joined a bipartisan quartet to introduce a bill to crack down on the use of anonymous shell companies to conceal illegal foreign contributions.

Bell鈥檚 legislation would make it unlawful to establish or use a corporate entity to conceal a campaign contribution by a foreign national. Violators would face fines and prison terms up to five years.

In recent years,聽聽that shell companies with foreign money have been used to assist campaigns from both major political parties.

Bell was joined on the bill by fellow Democrat Jason Crow of Colorado and GOP U.S. Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania.

鈥淎mericans have the right to choose their leaders without interference from hidden foreign interests,鈥� Bell said. 鈥淭his bill is about drawing a clear line; our elections belong to the people, and no one else.鈥�

聽elected in November, represents 51黑料 and part of 51黑料 County.

He also had introduced legislation that propose ways to reward local police and court jurisdictions for reducing jail incarceration and expanding diversion and rehabilitation programs.

Another new proposal from Bell, dropped into the hopper last week, is a bill that aims to restrict illicit arms trafficking from the U.S. to the Caribbean.