The Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act, explained

A plain-English guide to S. 5183, a federal anti-corruption bill introduced in the U.S. Senate on July 30, 2026. It is organized the same way as the bill itself, title by title.

Where it stands (November 2026): introduced in the Senate, not yet passed. Bills that don't pass before a Congress ends expire, so supporters would need to reintroduce it in the 120th Congress, which begins January 3, 2027. Track it on Congress.gov.

The bill in one paragraph

The Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act would do two big things. First, it would let private citizens and state attorneys general sue, in the name of the United States, to recover money that senior officials, key campaign figures and major contractors gain through corruption, similar to how the False Claims Act works for fraud against the government. Second, it would create a new, independent Anti-Corruption Bureau and fold three existing watchdogs into it: the Federal Election Commission, the Office of Government Ethics and the Office of Special Counsel.

Title by title

Sections 1–4

Name, findings and definitions

Names the law the "Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act of 2026" and sets out Congress's findings about the Constitution's anti-corruption tradition, the state of today's ethics and election watchdogs, and the case for an independent enforcer and a way to recover misused public money.

Title I

A right to sue to recover corrupt gains

Creates a new civil lawsuit that private plaintiffs, including state attorneys general, can bring on behalf of the United States against presidents, senior officials, key campaign figures and major contractors who obtain money through corruption. It defines who is covered and what counts as a violation, allows penalties including disgorgement and triple damages, provides awards and legal fees for successful cases, and makes people who file frivolous suits pay the other side's fees.

Title II

Creating the Anti-Corruption Bureau

Establishes an independent Anti-Corruption Bureau run by a seven-member board confirmed by the Senate, with partisan-balance rules, fixed terms, a Chair and Vice Chair, and an expert advisory panel to help with nominations. The design aims to keep anti-corruption enforcement insulated from presidential and partisan interference.

Title III

Powers and the merger of three agencies

Gives the Bureau investigative, subpoena, oversight and reporting powers, and consolidates the Federal Election Commission, the Office of Government Ethics and the Office of Special Counsel into the Bureau while keeping their existing legal authorities.

Title IV

Keeping the Bureau running

Sets up a special three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit that can appoint temporary board members if vacancies or obstruction would otherwise stop the Bureau from working.

Title V

Funding and technical changes

Creates the Freedom From Influence Fund, paid for by assessments and fines, to finance the Bureau, and directs the Bureau to write regulations and make conforming updates to existing law.

How it's framed

The sponsor's own summary presents the bill as a response to corruption under the current administration. Supporters say a single independent watchdog with real enforcement power is overdue. Critics of similar proposals have raised concerns about creating a new federal agency, about merging bodies with different missions, and about lawsuits being used for political purposes; the bill's fee-shifting for frivolous suits is meant to address the last concern. Read the bill and decide for yourself.

Want your members of Congress to hear from you?

Anti-Corruption USA sends a separate letter, in your name, to each of your two U.S. Senators and your U.S. Representative. You get a copy by email and a note when it's sent.

Send my letters

Common questions

What is the Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act?

The Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act (S. 5183) is a federal bill introduced in the U.S. Senate on July 30, 2026. It would create an independent Anti-Corruption Bureau, merge the Federal Election Commission, the Office of Government Ethics and the Office of Special Counsel into it, and let private citizens and state attorneys general sue to recover money that senior officials and others obtain through corruption.

Who introduced the Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act?

The bill was introduced by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer on July 30, 2026, in the 119th Congress.

Has the Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act passed?

No. As of November 2026 it has been introduced but not passed. Bills that do not pass before a Congress ends expire, so it would need to be reintroduced in the 120th Congress, which begins January 3, 2027.

What would the Anti-Corruption Bureau do?

The Bureau would investigate and enforce federal anti-corruption, campaign finance, government ethics and whistleblower-protection laws, with subpoena power, a seven-member Senate-confirmed board with partisan-balance rules, and its own funding source.

How can I support the Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act?

Contact your own two U.S. Senators and your U.S. Representative. Congressional offices count constituent messages by bill and position. Anti-Corruption USA can write and send a separate letter to each of your members in your name.

Sources

Last updated November 9, 2026. Anti-Corruption USA is an independent citizen project, not affiliated with Congress, any government agency or any political party. This page is general information, not legal advice.