S 2039
115th Congress
Senate
Crime and Law Enforcement
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Evidence and witnesses
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Public participation and lobbying
Disclosing Foreign Influence Act
Everywhere this bill has been
2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 31, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6926-6929)
Oct 31, 2017
Introduced in Senate
Plain-English 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.
What's happening now
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6926-6929)
Committees of jurisdiction
1