HR 3229119th CongressIn Committee

Foreign Agents Transparency Act

Introduced: May 7, 2025

Defense & National Security

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

H.R. 3229, the Foreign Agents Transparency Act, was introduced on May 7, 2025, by Rep. Cline and co-sponsors. The bill amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) to strengthen and clarify enforcement and transparency around individuals who formerly acted as agents for foreign principals. Key changes include: (1) clarifying that the obligation to register as a foreign agent covers the period during which a person acted as an agent, not just the time of registration, and applying this to those who served within a defined window around enactment; (2) allowing the Attorney General to seek court orders that require ongoing compliance with FARA provisions even after a person has stopped acting as an agent, including orders that apply to periods when the person previously acted; and (3) requiring annual, machine-readable reports detailing enforcement actions related to these provisions, organized by action and individual. The overall aim is to close potential loopholes where former agents might avoid renewed registration or enforcement and to increase transparency around enforcement actions. The changes would apply to individuals who served as foreign agents during a defined 5-year window ending on or after enactment, and they would take effect through a combination of transitional provisions and new enforcement mechanisms.

Key Points

1Clarifies continuing obligation to register as a foreign agent
2- Replaces language referring to “the period” with “covering the period,” clarifying that registration duties extend to the time a person acted as an agent.
3- Applies to individuals who served as agents during a 5-year window ending on enactment, on enactment, or after enactment.
4Allows post-activity enforcement orders
5- The Attorney General may seek orders to compel compliance with FARA provisions during the period a person acted as an agent and at times thereafter.
6- Orders can require a person to comply with registration for the periods during which they acted, even if they are no longer acting as an agent when the order is issued.
7Annual, machine-readable enforcement reports
8- Defines “covered action” (enforcement actions under FARA as amended) and “covered individual” (someone who served as an agent during the 5-year window ending on enactment).
9- Requires the Attorney General to submit, within 1 year of enactment and annually thereafter, a machine-readable report detailing each covered action, including the involved individuals, rationale, and status.
10Transitional and effective date framework
11- Establishes when the amendments apply to individuals who served during specified timeframes relative to enactment (during the 5-year window ending on enactment, on enactment, or after enactment).
12Short title
13- Establishes the act as the “Foreign Agents Transparency Act.”

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Individuals who served as agents of foreign principals within the specified 5-year window and their potential enforcement actions under FARA.- The Department of Justice/Attorney General, which would administer amended enforcement authorities and annual reporting requirements.Secondary group/area affected- Foreign principals who engaged agents (including foreign governments, political organizations, or individuals acting on their behalf) who may now face clearer and potentially broader registration and reporting requirements.Additional impacts- Increased transparency and data availability for Congress and the public through annual, machine-readable enforcement reports.- Possible expansion of post-activity accountability for former agents, with potential implications for privacy, due process considerations, and historical investigations into past activities.- Administrative and budgetary implications for the DOJ to produce and maintain annual reports and to implement the new enforcement orders.

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