Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act

• Lobbyists would have to name any foreign government or foreign political party that helps direct or control their lobbying.
  2

  the name and address of each government of a foreign country (including any agency or subdivision of a government of a foreign country, such as a regional or municipal unit of government) and foreign political party, other than the client, that participates in the direction, planning, supervision, or control of any lobbying activities of the registrant[2] Engrossed in Senate (December 16, 2025) · Sec. 2(2) → inserted (8)
• That would be required even when the foreign government pays nothing and owns nothing.
  2,7

  notwithstanding paragraph (4)[2] Engrossed in Senate (December 16, 2025) · Sec. 2(2) → inserted (8)requires disclosure of foreign governments and political parties that exert control or influence over lobbying activities, regardless of whether they are funding the lobbying activities[7] S. Rept. 118-13, Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act (the 2023 version, S. 829), with CBO's estimate · I. Purpose and Summary
• Today, lobbyists name foreign groups mainly when they own, fund or direct their client.
  6

  the name, address, principal place of business, amount of any contribution of more than $5,000 to the lobbying activities of the registrant, and approximate percentage of equitable ownership in the client (if any) of any foreign entity that[6] 2 U.S.C. 1603, Registration of lobbyists (U.S. Code, 2024 edition, before this bill) · (b)(4)holds at least 20 percent equitable ownership in the client or any organization identified under paragraph (3)[6] 2 U.S.C. 1603, Registration of lobbyists (U.S. Code, 2024 edition, before this bill) · (b)(4)(A)directly or indirectly, in whole or in major part, plans, supervises, controls, directs, finances, or subsidizes the activities of the client[6] 2 U.S.C. 1603, Registration of lobbyists (U.S. Code, 2024 edition, before this bill) · (b)(4)(B)
• Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa wrote it. The Senate passed it on December 16, 2025. The House has not acted on it.
  1

  Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA][1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Sponsor2025-12-16 | Senate | Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Actions, December 16, 20252025-12-17 10:21:51 | House floor actions | Held at the desk.[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Actions, December 17, 2025

• It does not ban any foreign government from lobbying. It only requires disclosure.
  2

  the name and address of each government of a foreign country (including any agency or subdivision of a government of a foreign country, such as a regional or municipal unit of government) and foreign political party, other than the client, that participates in the direction, planning, supervision, or control of any lobbying activities of the registrant[2] Engrossed in Senate (December 16, 2025) · Sec. 2(2) → inserted (8)
• It keeps the existing rules on foreign owners and funders.
  2,6

  notwithstanding paragraph (4)[2] Engrossed in Senate (December 16, 2025) · Sec. 2(2) → inserted (8)the name, address, principal place of business, amount of any contribution of more than $5,000 to the lobbying activities of the registrant, and approximate percentage of equitable ownership in the client (if any) of any foreign entity that[6] 2 U.S.C. 1603, Registration of lobbyists (U.S. Code, 2024 edition, before this bill) · (b)(4)
• It does not change who must register as a lobbyist.
  2

  Section 4(b) of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1603(b)) is amended[2] Engrossed in Senate (December 16, 2025) · Sec. 2

Every place the bill changes existing law. On the left, the law as it stands today, quoted from the U.S. Code. On the right, the bill's words.

• For the earlier version, S. 829, the Congressional Budget Office said it would not significantly raise costs for the House or Senate.
  7

  CBO estimates that implementing the bill would not significantly increase the administrative costs of the House of Representatives or the Senate over the 2023-2028 period.[7] S. Rept. 118-13, Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act (the 2023 version, S. 829), with CBO's estimate · VI. CBO estimate
• CBO expected any new fines to be small, because few cases would be affected.
  7

  CBO estimates that those collections would not be significant in any year or over the 2023-2033 period because of the relatively small number of cases likely to be affected.[7] S. Rept. 118-13, Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act (the 2023 version, S. 829), with CBO's estimate · VI. CBO estimate

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Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Reported to Senate, Nov 3, 2025).

1. Dec 16, 2025Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
2. Nov 3, 2025Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Paul without amendment. Without written report.Library of Congress
3. Mar 5, 2025Introduced in SenateLibrary of Congress

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Cosponsors

• John Cornyn R-TX
• Richard J. Durbin D-IL
• Margaret Wood Hassan D-NH
• Josh Hawley R-MO
• Gary C. Peters D-MI