Bill would close FARA loopholes for firms tied to rival governments

What does this do?

The bill removes current FARA exemptions (for commercial, legal, and public relations work) for any foreign agent owned or controlled by a government on the State Department's "countries of concern" list. It also creates a process where the Secretary of State and Attorney General can propose changes to that list, but Congress must approve any change through a joint resolution. The changes expire five years after enactment unless Congress renews them.

Who does it affect?

The bill affects businesses, lobbyists, consultants, and organizations working in the U.S. on behalf of governments like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. It also affects people or companies who hire or partner with such entities.

Why does it matter?

Affected entities would face stricter registration and disclosure requirements and lose access to certain exemptions previously used to avoid registering as foreign agents. Congress, rather than the executive branch alone, would control future changes to the list of covered countries.

Where does it stand?