Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Reintroduce Updated DISCLOSE Act to End Corrupting Influence of Dark Money in American Elections ... The DISCLOSE Act would restore transparency in American elections and restore fairness and accountability in our political system by: Requiring super PACs, 501(c)(4) 'dark money' groups, corporations, and other organizations spending more than $10,000 in elections and on judicial nominations to promptly disclose donors who contribute more than $10,000; Shutting down the use of transfers between organizations to cloak the identity of the original contributor; Strengthening prohibitions against foreign actors participating in election spending in the United States, including in state and local referenda; Prohibiting the establishment of corporations to conceal election contributions and donations by foreign actors; Expanding 'stand by your ad' disclosure requirements to online ads and ads that may promote or attack a candidate but stop short of expressly advocating for a vote for or against a candidate; and Requiring identification of top funders of outside groups paying for video, text, or audio political ads.
Support and work to pass the DISCLOSE Act, which would require organizations spending more than $10,000 on elections or judicial nominations to promptly disclose donors, shut down transfers between organizations to mask contributor identities, strengthen prohibitions against foreign election spending, prohibit establishment of corporations to conceal foreign contributions, expand 'stand by your ad' disclosure requirements to online and issue ads, and require identification of top funders for outside groups in political ads.
Occurrences
Senator Jeff Merkley, along with Senator Ron Wyden and other Democratic colleagues, reintroduced the DISCLOSE Act. This legislation aims to increase transparency in political spending by requiring organizations that spend more than $10,000 on elections or judicial nominations to promptly disclose donors, among other provisions.
The DISCLOSE Act of 2026 includes provisions to strengthen prohibitions against foreign actors participating in U.S. elections, require prompt disclosure of donors contributing over $10,000, and expand 'stand by your ad' requirements to online ads.
“Billionaires should not be able to buy our elections—full stop,” said Senator Merkley. “Passing the DISCLOSE Act will bring transparency to the dark money poured into our elections and give the power back to the people. We need to get this done to restore the vision of our ‘We, The People’ republic.”
Evidence
On March 6, 2026, Senator Jeff Merkley, along with Senator Ron Wyden and other Democratic colleagues, reintroduced the DISCLOSE Act. This legislation aims to increase transparency in political spending by requiring organizations that spend more than $10,000 on elections or judicial nominations to promptly disclose donors, among other provisions.
The DISCLOSE Act of 2026 includes provisions to strengthen prohibitions against foreign actors participating in U.S. elections, require prompt disclosure of donors contributing over $10,000, and expand 'stand by your ad' requirements to online ads.
On March 6, 2026, Senator Jeff Merkley, along with Senator Ron Wyden and other colleagues, reintroduced the updated DISCLOSE Act to enhance transparency in political spending. The bill aims to require organizations spending more than $10,000 on elections or judicial nominations to promptly disclose donors, among other provisions.
On March 4, 2026, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, along with Congressman Chris Pappas and other colleagues, reintroduced the updated DISCLOSE Act. The legislation aims to end the influence of dark money in politics by requiring organizations spending more than $10,000 on elections or judicial nominations to disclose donors, among other measures.
The DISCLOSE Act of 2026 aims to enhance election transparency and accountability by requiring organizations spending more than $10,000 on elections or judicial nominations to promptly disclose donors, among other provisions.
Sen. Merkley was listed among the Senate supporters of the updated DISCLOSE Act, and the release said passing the bill would increase transparency around dark-money election spending.
The Senate bill text says it was introduced, read twice, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Assessments
Merkley appears to have actively supported and worked on the DISCLOSE Act in his current Senate service, including joining the March 2026 reintroduction of the updated bill. That shows a serious legislative effort aligned with the promise’s substance. But the evidence also shows the bill was only introduced and referred to committee, with no enactment or final passage. Using the federal office standard, sponsorship and advocacy count as meaningful effort, but they do not by themselves satisfy a promise whose stated objective was to help pass the DISCLOSE Act. Because there was a serious attempt but no delivered policy outcome, this is best scored as never, with an effort badge.
Senator Jeff Merkley promised to support and work to pass the DISCLOSE Act, which would require organizations spending more than $10,000 on elections or judicial nominations to promptly disclose donors, among other transparency measures. The evidence shows that Merkley reintroduced the DISCLOSE Act during the term in question, actively supporting legislative efforts to fulfill his promise. However, there is no evidence that the legislation was actually enacted into law, meaning the core goals of the promise were not delivered. Despite his concrete legislative effort, the promise itself was not fulfilled.
Senator Merkley took substantive legislative action by reintroducing the DISCLOSE Act in the relevant term and advocating for its provisions. However, there is no evidence that the bill was passed into law or its promises were fully delivered. This reflects a strong effort but an unmet promise.
Senator Jeff Merkley reintroduced the DISCLOSE Act and made a clear legislative effort to advance its comprehensive transparency provisions, as detailed in the evidence. However, there is no evidence provided that the Act was successfully passed into law or its provisions enacted. Therefore, despite substantial effort, the specific outcome promised—actual passage and implementation of these transparency measures—was not delivered.