Strengthening Foreign Influence Disclosure and Increasing Penalties for Non-Registration
This law significantly tightens rules for individuals and entities representing foreign interests in the U.S., increasing financial penalties for failure to register or incomplete disclosures. It grants the Department of Justice new tools to quickly gather information (documents and testimony) during investigations into foreign influence. The goal is to enhance transparency in lobbying activities conducted on behalf of foreign governments, thereby protecting national security and the integrity of political processes.
Key points
Increased Penalties: Maximum criminal fines for violations by foreign agents increase substantially, from $10,000 up to $200,000.
New Investigative Powers: The Department of Justice gains authority to issue Civil Investigative Demands (CID) to compel documents and testimony before formal legal proceedings begin.
Mandatory Disclosure: Registered foreign agents must explicitly disclose their status during meetings with Members of Congress or their staff.
New Civil Fines: High civil penalties (up to $10,000) are introduced for untimely or incomplete filings, even if the failure was unintentional.
Expired
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