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To amend the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to promote greater transparency in the registration of persons serving as the agents of foreign principals, to provide the Attorney General with greater authority to investigate alleged violations of such Act and bring criminal and civil actions against persons who commit such violations, and for other purposes.

USA115th CongressHR-4170| House 
| Updated: 1/17/2018
Mike Johnson

Mike Johnson

Republican Representative

Louisiana

Cosponsors (7)
Sanford D. Bishop (Democratic)Ken Buck (Republican)Andy Biggs (Republican)Cedric L. Richmond (Democratic)Matt Gaetz (Republican)Bob Goodlatte (Republican)Brian Babin (Republican)

Judiciary Committee, Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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.
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Timeline
Oct 31, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 115-2039
Introduced in Senate
Oct 31, 2017
Introduced in House
Oct 31, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Nov 17, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
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.
  • October 31, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 115-2039
    Introduced in Senate


  • October 31, 2017
    Introduced in House


  • October 31, 2017
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


  • November 17, 2017
    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.


  • January 17, 2018
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 6.


  • January 17, 2018
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 115-6249: To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to treat certain foreign-owned corporations and business organizations as foreign nationals for purposes of the ban on campaign activity, to prohibit foreign-affiliated section 501(c)(4) organizations from making contributions to super PACs or disbursing funds for independent expenditures or electioneering communications, to amend the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to reform the procedures for the registration of agents of foreign principals under such Act, and for other purposes.
  • S 115-2039: A bill to amend the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to promote greater transparency in the registration of persons serving as the agents of foreign principals, to provide the Attorney General with greater authority to investigate alleged violations of such Act and bring criminal and civil actions against persons who commit such violations, and for other purposes.
Civil actions and liabilityCongressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationEvidence and witnessesGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsLicensing and registrationsPublic participation and lobbying

To amend the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to promote greater transparency in the registration of persons serving as the agents of foreign principals, to provide the Attorney General with greater authority to investigate alleged violations of such Act and bring criminal and civil actions against persons who commit such violations, and for other purposes.

USA115th CongressHR-4170| House 
| Updated: 1/17/2018
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.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Oct 31, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 115-2039
Introduced in Senate
Oct 31, 2017
Introduced in House
Oct 31, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Nov 17, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
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.
  • October 31, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 115-2039
    Introduced in Senate


  • October 31, 2017
    Introduced in House


  • October 31, 2017
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


  • November 17, 2017
    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.


  • January 17, 2018
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 6.


  • January 17, 2018
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mike Johnson

Mike Johnson

Republican Representative

Louisiana

Cosponsors (7)
Sanford D. Bishop (Democratic)Ken Buck (Republican)Andy Biggs (Republican)Cedric L. Richmond (Democratic)Matt Gaetz (Republican)Bob Goodlatte (Republican)Brian Babin (Republican)

Judiciary Committee, Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 115-6249: To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to treat certain foreign-owned corporations and business organizations as foreign nationals for purposes of the ban on campaign activity, to prohibit foreign-affiliated section 501(c)(4) organizations from making contributions to super PACs or disbursing funds for independent expenditures or electioneering communications, to amend the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to reform the procedures for the registration of agents of foreign principals under such Act, and for other purposes.
  • S 115-2039: A bill to amend the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to promote greater transparency in the registration of persons serving as the agents of foreign principals, to provide the Attorney General with greater authority to investigate alleged violations of such Act and bring criminal and civil actions against persons who commit such violations, and for other purposes.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Civil actions and liabilityCongressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationEvidence and witnessesGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsLicensing and registrationsPublic participation and lobbying