S.981 - Foreign Agents Transparency Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.981, the Foreign Agents Transparency Act, aims to amend the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) of 1938. The bill clarifies that individuals who formerly acted as agents of foreign principals must continue to register under FARA concerning their past activities on behalf of those principals. It also allows the Attorney General to seek compliance orders even after the individual has ceased acting as a foreign agent.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill is to strengthen the enforcement of FARA. This will likely lead to increased scrutiny and accountability for individuals who have previously represented foreign interests. Additionally, it could deter individuals from attempting to circumvent FARA regulations by ceasing their activities as foreign agents while still benefiting from their past work.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency regarding foreign influence in the United States.
- Enhanced ability of the Attorney General to enforce FARA regulations.
- Greater accountability for individuals who act on behalf of foreign principals.
- Potential deterrence of activities aimed at undermining U.S. interests.
- Improved public awareness of foreign government activities.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased compliance costs for individuals and organizations.
- Possible chilling effect on legitimate advocacy and lobbying efforts.
- Risk of overly broad interpretation and enforcement of FARA.
- Potential for increased litigation related to FARA compliance.
- Possible impact on freedom of speech and association.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's alignment with the Constitution is complex. While increased transparency serves the public interest, potential impacts on freedom of speech and association, protected by the First Amendment, must be considered. The government's power to regulate foreign agents is generally accepted, but the extent of that power is subject to constitutional limitations. The bill must be narrowly tailored to address specific concerns about foreign influence without unduly infringing on protected rights.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).