The "Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act" requires lobbyists to disclose any foreign government or political party that directs or controls their lobbying activities.
Mariannette Miller-Meeks
Representative
IA-1
The "Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act" amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, requiring lobbyists to disclose the name and address of any foreign government or political party that directs, plans, supervises, or controls their lobbying activities. This disclosure is required even if the foreign entity is not the lobbyist's direct client. This aims to increase transparency regarding foreign influence in lobbying efforts.
New Bill Demands Lobbyists Reveal Foreign Influence: Even Indirect Control Now Requires Full Disclosure
The "Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act" directly amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, pulling back the curtain on who's really pulling the strings in Washington. The core change? Lobbyists must now disclose not just who pays them, but also any foreign government or political party that directs, plans, supervises, or controls their activities—even if that entity isn't the official client. (Section 2).
Beyond the Paycheck: Who's Really Calling the Shots?
This bill shifts the focus from just the money trail to the control of lobbying efforts. Previously, a foreign government could theoretically funnel influence through a third-party client, keeping their involvement hidden. This legislation aims to close that loophole. For example, if a foreign-owned company is lobbying on behalf of its government's interests, and that government is actively directing the lobbying strategy, that foreign government must be disclosed. (Section 4(b) of the amended Act).
Real-World Radar: How This Could Play Out
Imagine a scenario: A US-based subsidiary of a foreign corporation is lobbying for trade policies favorable to its parent company's home country. If that home country's government is actively involved in planning or directing the lobbying strategy – even behind the scenes – the lobbyist must now disclose that government's involvement. This is a significant shift, requiring a deeper level of transparency than before. It is not hard to see the national security implications of this change.
Challenges and Paperwork
While the goal is clear, the practical impact will depend on enforcement. Lobbying firms might face a heavier compliance burden, needing to dig deeper into their clients' relationships and potentially navigate complex chains of influence. It also remains to be seen how effectively the government can monitor and enforce these new disclosure requirements, especially when dealing with sophisticated foreign actors. However, the increased transparency into who's really influencing policy could be a major step forward for accountability in Washington.