Miller-Meeks, Fitzpatrick offer bipartisan Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act

Bipartisan legislation offered by U.S. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) seeks to end a gap in federal law that allows the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to conceal its role in American lobbying efforts.

“Iowans have a right to know who is funding efforts to influence their government officials,” Rep. Miller-Meeks said. “For too long, the Chinese Communist Party has taken advantage of loopholes in federal law to push their agenda, and that is unacceptable.”

The congresswoman on June 28 sponsored the Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act, H.R. 8246, with five original cosponsors, including Rep. Fitzpatrick and U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), to amend a provision relating to certain contents of registrations under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, according to the text of the bill.

H.R. 8246 is companion legislation to the same-named S. 4254, introduced on May 18 by U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Gary Peters (D-MI).

“Federal policy decisions should be made with the best interests of the American people in mind, not Xi Jinping’s dictatorship,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks. “I am proud to lead this bipartisan group to ensure that our government serves the people it represents.”

If enacted, the proposed bill would ensure 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 provided by the lawmakers.

“The Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act will correct a loophole that the Chinese Communist Party has continued to exploit,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “Our bipartisan legislation will protect our nation’s democracy from the CCP’s malign influence and our other adversaries.”

H.R. 8246 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, while S. 4254 is under review in the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.