Skip to main content
HR 4170 115th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Civil actions and liability Congressional oversight Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation Evidence and witnesses Government information and archives Government studies and investigations Licensing and registrations Public participation and lobbying

Disclosing Foreign Influence Act

Introduced: October 31, 2017 Introduced by: Johnson, Mike Republican · Louisiana See on congress.gov
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
This bill died when the 115th Congress ended
It never became law before the 115th Congress (2017–2018) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 17, 2018
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 6.
Jan 17, 2018
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Nov 17, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
Oct 31, 2017
Introduced in House
Oct 31, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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.

What's happening now January 17, 2018

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 6.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • HR 6249 Related bill REFUSE Act
  • S 2039 Identical bill Disclosing Foreign Influence Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 7
All 7 Democratic 1 Republican 2
Richmond, Cedric
· Dec 11, 2017
 D
Bishop, Sanford D.
Georgia · Nov 29, 2017
 R
Babin, Brian
Texas · Oct 31, 2017
 R
Biggs, Andy
Arizona · Oct 31, 2017
Buck, Ken
· Oct 31, 2017
Gaetz, Matt
· Oct 31, 2017
GOODLATTE, ROBERT
· Oct 31, 2017
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4170: Disclosing Foreign Influence Act. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-4170/
MLA
"H.R. 4170: Disclosing Foreign Influence Act." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-4170/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4170, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-4170/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4170: Disclosing Foreign Influence Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-4170/)
Report a problem