Press Releases

For Immediate Release
Contact: massie.press@mail.house.gov
Contact #: 202-225-3465

Washington, D.C.- Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) announces the introduction of the Americans Insist on Political Agent Clarity Act. Rep. Massie’s legislation closes a loophole in the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (FARA) that has been exploited by certain organizations to avoid registering as foreign agents despite lobbying on behalf of foreign interests.

"Americans have a right to know when powerful lobbying organizations are advancing the interests of foreign governments in Congress," said Rep. Massie. "The Americans Insist on Political Agent Clarity Act does not ban speech, restrict advocacy, or prohibit Americans from supporting foreign allies. It simply ensures transparency. If an organization is heavily engaged in influencing U.S. policy in ways that principally benefit a foreign country, it should be required to register under FARA.”

The bill:

• Clarifies that U.S.-based organizations may qualify as foreign principals under FARA when their lobbying activities principally advance the interests of a foreign nation;
• Establishes objective indicators for determining foreign political alignment, including coordination with foreign officials and repeated advocacy consistent with foreign diplomatic objectives;
• Creates a private right of action for American citizens to file complaints with the Department of Justice (DOJ) requesting investigations into potential FARA violations.

The text of the Americans Insist on Political Agent Clarity Act is available here. 

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