H.R.3966 - Think Tank and Nonprofit Foreign Influence Disclosure Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3966, the Think Tank and Nonprofit Foreign Influence Disclosure Act, aims to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require public reporting of contributions received by charitable organizations from foreign governments and foreign political parties. This bill seeks to increase transparency regarding foreign influence in U.S. think tanks and nonprofits. The bill mandates that tax-exempt organizations disclose contributions exceeding $10,000 from foreign entities.
Expected Effects
The likely effect of this bill is increased transparency regarding foreign funding of think tanks and nonprofits. This could lead to greater public awareness of potential foreign influence on policy and research. It may also deter foreign entities from attempting to unduly influence U.S. policy through financial contributions.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in the funding of think tanks and nonprofits.
- Greater public awareness of potential foreign influence.
- Enhanced national security by identifying potential foreign interference.
- More informed policy debates due to better understanding of funding sources.
- Level playing field for organizations that do not accept foreign funding.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential administrative burden for organizations to track and report foreign contributions.
- Possible chilling effect on legitimate foreign funding for beneficial research and programs.
- Risk of misinterpretation or misuse of disclosed information.
- Could be perceived as targeting specific countries or entities, leading to diplomatic tensions.
- May not capture all forms of foreign influence, focusing solely on financial contributions.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the U.S. Constitution, particularly Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations. The First Amendment protects freedom of speech and association, but this bill does not directly restrict those freedoms. Instead, it requires disclosure of funding sources, which is a permissible regulation aimed at promoting transparency and preventing undue foreign influence. The requirement for disclosure is a reasonable measure to ensure that the public is informed about the sources of funding for organizations that influence public policy.
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).