Peters Reintroduces Bipartisan Legislation to Help Prevent Foreign Influence in U.S. Policy

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, reintroduced bipartisan legislation to improve our nation’s ability to prevent foreign governments, including adversaries like the Chinese and Russian governments, from attempting to influence U.S. policy without making appropriate disclosures. The legislation would help prevent lobbyists working on behalf of foreign governments and political parties from exploiting an existing Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) provision that exempts Lobbying Disclosure Act registrants who are agents of foreign persons or organizations from registering under FARA. Peters introduced similar legislation that passed the Senate last Congress.

“We must work to address the serious national security threat posed by foreign influence in our nation’s political process,” said Senator Peters. “This bipartisan bill will increase transparency around foreign lobbying and ensure the federal government is working in the best interest of taxpayers.”

The Lobbying Disclosure Improvement Act would require Lobbying Disclosure Act registrants to indicate, as part of their registration, whether they are taking advantage of the FARA exemption. This would help the Department of Justice narrow the pool of Lobbying Disclosure Act registrants they are examining for potential violations, while not imposing any meaningful additional burden on registrants.

As Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Peters has led several efforts to ensure government is working in the best interest of Michiganders and the American people. Peters led long overdue reforms that were signed into law to strengthen protections for Inspectors General so they can conduct independent oversight to root out waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars. His bipartisan bill to identify and mitigate potential conflicts of interest in federal contracting, which will help ensure the appropriate use of taxpayer funds, was also signed into law.

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