Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act

S. 856 would amend federal lobbying disclosure laws to require registered lobbyists to identify and report any foreign governments or foreign political parties that participate in directing, planning, supervising, or controlling their lobbying activities. This requirement applies regardless of whether those foreign entities provide financial support for the lobbying efforts. The bill aims to increase transparency about foreign influence in the U.S. lobbying process by expanding what information lobbyists must publicly disclose.

For everyday citizens, this bill would make it easier to identify when foreign governments or political parties are involved in lobbying efforts that affect U.S. policy. Currently, lobbyists may not be required to disclose such foreign involvement unless the foreign entity is directly financing the work. This legislation would close that gap by requiring disclosure of any foreign government or party that has a hand in directing or controlling lobbying activities, even if indirectly.

The bill passed the Senate in December 2025 and is now being considered by the House of Representatives. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the costs to implement this requirement would not significantly burden federal agencies or exceed the threshold for private-sector mandates. Lobbyists who fail to disclose the required information could face civil fines, though such violations are expected to be relatively rare.