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Pappas backs legislation to ban Congress from foreign lobbying, combat foreign influence

By Staff | Jun 30, 2022

WASHINGTON – Following the release of a new report detailing a number of former members of Congress who have engaged in lobbying the U.S. government on behalf of foreign countries, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) is calling for the passage of the bipartisan Fighting Foreign Influence Act. The legislation would curb foreign influence and close the revolving door of former members of Congress and senior government officials who lobby on behalf of foreign governments, in many cases with adversarial relationships with the United States, when their public service ends.

“Public service should never lead to self-service, but it is clear that far too often former government officials and Members of Congress are cashing in to lobby for foreign governments like China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia when their time in office comes to an end,” said Congressman Pappas. “This is completely unacceptable and undermines American national security interests. This bipartisan legislation would close the revolving door that allows Members of Congress and government officials to help foreign governments, many of which are at odds with or openly hostile to U.S. values and objectives. This is an issue that should concern all Americans, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this legislation and shut down this unethical practice.”

Pappas joins Representatives Jared Golden (ME-02), Katie Porter (CA-45), and Paul Gosar (AZ-04) in supporting the Fighting Foreign Influence Act, which would impose a lifetime ban on former Members of Congress, US military officers, and senior executive branch officials from lobbying on behalf of a foreign government, as well as:

Require tax-exempt organizations to publicly disclose any gift or donation exceeding $50,000 from foreign governments or political parties.

Require political campaigns to verify that anyone making an online credit donation are legally eligible to make a campaign contribution.

Prohibit foreign agents from fundraising for political campaigns.

Pappas broke with Democratic House leadership in support of the stock trading ban in 2021, and after his advocacy, Speaker Pelosi reversed course and announced legislation to ban stock trading by members of Congress would be considered by the House. He supports and has helped lead several pieces of legislation to make these needed reforms.

Pappas is a co-sponsor of H.R. 336, the Transparent Representation Upholding Service and Trust in Congress (TRUST) Act. This bill requires a Member of Congress, as well as any spouse or dependent child of a Member, to place specified investments into a qualified blind trust until 180 days after the end of their tenure as a Member of Congress.

Pappas has also co-sponsored H.R.1579, the Ban Conflicted Trading Act, which would prohibit members of Congress from certain financial activities while holding office, including purchasing or selling specified investments and entering into a transaction that creates a net short position in a security.