summary
Introduced
10/31/2017
10/31/2017
In Committee
01/17/2018
01/17/2018
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2018
12/31/2018
Introduced Session
115th Congress
Bill Summary
Disclosing Foreign Influence Act This bill amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (FARA): to repeal an exemption from registration under FARA for agents of foreign persons and entities in the private sector who register under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA); to require such agents, after initial registration under FARA, to file subsequent statements at the same time, and in the same frequency, as reports filed with Congress under the LDA; and to authorize the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue civil investigative demands to compel the production of documents relevant to FARA investigations before initiating criminal or civil proceedings. DOJ must develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to improve FARA enforcement and administration. The DOJ Inspector General must review: (1) the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy; and (2) the use, effectiveness, and potential abuse of DOJ's authority to issue civil investigative demands. The Government Accountability Office must analyze the effectiveness of FARA enforcement and administration.
AI Summary
This bill, the Disclosing Foreign Influence Act, amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) in several ways:
1. It repeals an exemption that allowed agents of foreign entities in the private sector to register under the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) instead of FARA. Now, these agents must register under FARA and file subsequent statements at the same time and frequency as their LDA reports.
2. It authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue civil investigative demands to compel the production of documents relevant to FARA investigations before initiating criminal or civil proceedings.
3. It requires DOJ to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to improve FARA enforcement and administration, which will be reviewed by the DOJ Inspector General.
4. It requires the Government Accountability Office to analyze the effectiveness of FARA enforcement and administration.
The overall goal is to promote greater transparency in the registration of foreign agents and provide DOJ with more tools to investigate and enforce FARA violations.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (8)
Mike Johnson (R)*,
Brian Babin (R),
Andy Biggs (R),
Sanford Bishop (D),
Ken Buck (R),
Matt Gaetz (R),
Bob Goodlatte (R),
Cedric Richmond (D),
Last Action
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 6. (on 01/17/2018)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4170/all-info |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr4170/BILLS-115hr4170ih.pdf |
| Bill | https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr4170/BILLS-115hr4170ih.pdf.pdf |
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