S 856119th CongressIntroduced

Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act

Introduced: Mar 5, 2025

Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] (R-Iowa)

Economy & TaxesTechnology & Innovation

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act would amend the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to require additional disclosures in lobbying registrations. Specifically, it would require registrants to reveal the name and address of each foreign government (including its agencies or subdivisions, such as regional or municipal units) and each foreign political party that participates in directing, planning, supervising, or controlling any lobbying activities of the registrant. Importantly, this disclosure would apply even if the foreign entity is not the client paying for the lobbying. The bill uses a provision to ensure this information is disclosed notwithstanding other existing requirements. The goal is to increase transparency about foreign involvement in U.S. lobbying.

Key Points

1Expands disclosure: Registrants must list, with name and address, every foreign government and foreign political party that participates in directing, planning, supervising, or controlling lobbying efforts by the registrant.
2Who must disclose: Applies to the registrant’s lobbying activities; the required foreign entities are those involved in direction or control, not just the client paying for the lobbying.
3Scope of entities: Covers foreign governments (including agencies or subdivisions like regional/municipal units) and foreign political parties.
4Not limited to the client: The foreign entities must be disclosed even if they are not the client or principal client of the registrant.
5Legislative status: Introduced in the Senate as S. 856 on March 5, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; no further action detailed in the text provided.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Lobbying registrants and their clients, since they must disclose foreign governments and foreign political parties involved in directing or controlling lobbying activities.Secondary group/area affected: Government watchdogs, lawmakers, and the public seeking transparency about foreign influence in lobbying; potential media and open-government scrutiny.Additional impacts:- Increased compliance burden and potential need for additional internal tracking of foreign involvement in lobbying efforts.- Possible broader consideration of foreign influence in lobbying alongside related regimes (e.g., FARA), affecting risk assessments and contractual arrangements with foreign-linked entities.- Potential implications for privacy and safety of individuals if disclosures reveal sensitive foreign government connections.The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 requires lobbyists and certain “registrants” to register their lobbying activities and disclose clients, issues, and other information. This bill seeks to clarify and broaden the content to explicitly require identifying foreign governments and foreign political parties that direct or control lobbying work, beyond the existing client-focused disclosures.

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