Perspective: Getting Lobbyists To Come Clean

Reprinted with permission from CNet.com.

The National Security Division of the Department of Justice recently announced the launch of the enhanced Foreign Agent Registration Act Web site. The site claims to improve access to public information about foreign agents and their activities within the United States.

Why is this important? Congress passed the FARA to cast light on foreign participation in attempts to influence the laws, policy and public opinion of the United States. Enacted in 1938 as a response to German propaganda prior to World War II, it is a public disclosure statute that requires all persons acting as agents of foreign principals in a political or quasipolitical function to make periodic public disclosure of their relationship with the foreign principal. It also requires them to disclose the activities, disbursements and receipts supporting the relationship.