This bill would change the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). It adds a new category of "foreign principal." That category covers organizations formed under United States or state law that do not get direct funding from a foreign government but whose work seeks to influence U.S. public policy in favor of a foreign country's political or economic interests. The bill lists objective signs to show a foreign country is the main beneficiary. Those signs include repeated advocacy that matches a foreign country's diplomatic goals; coordination with foreign officials or foreign-funded groups; receiving material support or strategic direction from people in a foreign country; or having the foreign nation's name in the namesake of the lobbying activity. The bill also lets any U.S. citizen file a complaint with the Department of Justice asking for an investigation of possible violations tied to this new category. The Attorney General must issue public guidance within 180 days that explains the new definition, gives examples, lists objective indicia, and states compliance expectations. The bill was introduced by Representative Thomas Massie and was referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
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The bill's findings say FARA protects national security and transparency. It states that disclosure requirements do not violate free speech or association, citing past court decisions. The bill says entities that do substantial advocacy aligned with foreign state interests should disclose that alignment.
No publicly available information.