Miller-Meeks, Fitzpatrick propose bill to crack down on China’s influence in U.S. lobbying

U.S. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) on Feb. 24 introduced legislation that aims to crack down on foreign adversaries’ efforts to secretly influence U.S. policy.

“I am proud to lead this bipartisan group to ensure that our government serves the people it represents,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks, who sponsored the Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act, H.R. 1190, with five original cosponsors, including Rep. Fitzpatrick and U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL).

If enacted, H.R. 1190 would close a loophole the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and other foreign adversaries of the United States exploit to conceal their role in America’s lobbying efforts, according to the lawmakers. 

“For too long, the Chinese Communist Party has taken advantage of loopholes in federal law to push their agenda and that is unacceptable,” Rep. Miller-Meeks said. “Federal policy decisions should be made with the best interests of the American people in mind, not Xi Jinping’s dictatorship.”

While federal lobbying law requires both lobbyists and the organizations that retain them to register their activities with the government, schemes have been uncovered in which registered organizations and businesses have been used to push the lobbying efforts of an unregistered government or political party, according to information provided by the lawmakers.

“Attempts by foreign governments — including Russia and the Chinese Communist Party  — to influence our lawmaking process poses a credible threat to our national security,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said. “If foreign adversaries are seeking to lobby our government officials, the United States Congress must be aware.”

H.R. 1190, said Rep. Fitzpatrick, “will close a dangerous gap in our laws that is frequently exploited by the CCP, and further protect our governing process.”

The bill would make clear that foreign governments and political parties that participate in the planning, supervision, direction, or control of a lobbying effort must disclose their activity, regardless of any financial contribution to the lobbying effort, according to a bill summary the lawmakers provided.

“We cannot allow clandestine attempts by foreign adversaries such as the Chinese Communist Party and Russia to circumvent federal lobbying law and threaten our national security,” said Rep. Krishnamoorthi. “I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan, common-sense bill that will increase transparency in foreign lobbying and ensure that our government works in the best interests of the United States, free of interference from any foreign adversary.”