Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act
Summary
The Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995. It clarifies registration requirements for lobbyists by mandating the disclosure of foreign governments or political parties involved in directing or controlling lobbying activities, even if they are not the direct client. This aims to increase transparency regarding foreign influence in US lobbying efforts.
Expected Effects
This act will likely increase transparency in lobbying activities. It requires lobbyists to disclose foreign entities that exert control over their work, even if those entities are not direct clients. This could lead to greater public awareness of foreign influence on US policy.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in lobbying activities.
- Greater public awareness of foreign influence.
- Enhanced accountability for lobbyists and foreign entities.
- Improved understanding of policy-making processes.
- Potential for more informed public discourse on policy issues.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased compliance costs for lobbying firms.
- Possible chilling effect on legitimate lobbying activities.
- Risk of misinterpretation or politicization of disclosed information.
- Potential for foreign entities to seek alternative, less transparent channels of influence.
- Difficulty in determining the extent of 'direction, planning, supervision, or control'.
Constitutional Alignment
The act aligns with the First Amendment by promoting transparency and informing the public about potential influences on government. While the First Amendment protects the right to petition the government, this act seeks to ensure that such petitioning is transparent, particularly when foreign entities are involved. This aligns with the principle of informed public discourse, which is essential for a functioning democracy.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).