senate Bill S. 1762
Should Enforcement & Punishment of Foreign Agents Registration Act Violations Be Increased?
Argument in favor
A perceived lack of consequences has led to little FARA compliance by lobbyists, who influence U.S. politics without disclosing their foreign relationships. Giving FARA teeth and empowering the Dept. of Justice (DOJ) to investigate FARA violations will help improve compliance with this law and keep foreign influence out of U.S. politics.
10/14/2019
With ambiguous investigative responsibilities and a perceived lack of consequences has led to little FARA compliance by lobbyists, who influence U.S. politics without disclosing their foreign relationships. By giving FARA more severe consequences and assigning the Dept. of Justice (DOJ) to investigate FARA violations will help improve compliance with this law and keep foreign influence out of U.S. politics.
10/14/2019
I suppose I will support Sen Grassley's bill. However, I believed we had protection against foreign governments. Of course, we find out the prior bills to protect us was a toothless bill, so another bill is in the hopper. In this case, I shall demure to Sen Grassley, who has always appeared to be a Patriot against Liberals and progressive socialists.
10/13/2019
Congress must cleanse its self of all the criminals (including the senate), obstructionists, and foreign agents (like Moscow Mitch). Until we get people in Congress who support our Constitution instead of abuse it for their personal and party gain America will continue to swirl around the bowl headed for the sewers. It would also help if the MAGAts would learn (and care) about facts versus lies, try to save our environment, and do without their their AKs like most responsible adults.
Argument opposed
The DOJ is already ramping up its FARA enforcement, as evidenced by the seven FARA-related criminal prosecutions stemming from the Mueller investigation. There’s no need to further enhance FARA legislatively — the DOJ merely needs to continue doing what it’s already doing.
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10/14/2019
DrCindyBean: I agree with you completely. I think putting investigative and punitive teeth into foreign lobbyist protection is a good thing to do generally. But, we have to have a DOJ that is not overwhelmingly directed to shielding the President. I think the greater issue is in putting controls on the independence of the DOJ and its mission from being used to support a presidential political agenda. Kind of like it mostly was in the past. Sadly, I think this will have to be formalized to prevent future abuse of an AG acting as a president's personal attorney and enlisting the extensive DOJ apparatus to shield the president from constitutional oversight.
10/14/2019
NOT IN THIS ADMINISTRATION. THE DOJ IS A TRUMP PUPPET & WILL NOT DO WHAT IS RIGHT & WILL USE IT AGAINST THOSE WHO TRUMP IS AFRAID OF BECAUSE THEY SPEAK THE TRUTH ABOUT HIM & HIS MINONS.
10/14/2019
I think we need this corrupt criminal trump regime out before any changes are made. trump and trump’s corrupt criminal regime use and misuse and abuse - every chance they get - they turn every thing into weapons to bludgeon anyone who disagrees with trump- anyone who stands up against his lies and bullying.
Impeach trump. Remove trump and trump’s corrupt criminal regime from our government. Now.
With ambiguous investigative responsibilities and a perceived lack of consequences has led to little FARA compliance by lobbyists, who influence U.S. politics without disclosing their foreign relationships. By giving FARA more severe consequences and assigning the Dept. of Justice (DOJ) to investigate FARA violations will help improve compliance with this law and keep foreign influence out of U.S. politics.
DrCindyBean: I agree with you completely. I think putting investigative and punitive teeth into foreign lobbyist protection is a good thing to do generally. But, we have to have a DOJ that is not overwhelmingly directed to shielding the President. I think the greater issue is in putting controls on the independence of the DOJ and its mission from being used to support a presidential political agenda. Kind of like it mostly was in the past. Sadly, I think this will have to be formalized to prevent future abuse of an AG acting as a president's personal attorney and enlisting the extensive DOJ apparatus to shield the president from constitutional oversight.
NOT IN THIS ADMINISTRATION. THE DOJ IS A TRUMP PUPPET & WILL NOT DO WHAT IS RIGHT & WILL USE IT AGAINST THOSE WHO TRUMP IS AFRAID OF BECAUSE THEY SPEAK THE TRUTH ABOUT HIM & HIS MINONS.
I think we need this corrupt criminal trump regime out before any changes are made. trump and trump’s corrupt criminal regime use and misuse and abuse - every chance they get - they turn every thing into weapons to bludgeon anyone who disagrees with trump- anyone who stands up against his lies and bullying.
Impeach trump. Remove trump and trump’s corrupt criminal regime from our government. Now.
Congress must cleanse its self of all the criminals (including the senate), obstructionists, and foreign agents (like Moscow Mitch). Until we get people in Congress who support our Constitution instead of abuse it for their personal and party gain America will continue to swirl around the bowl headed for the sewers. It would also help if the MAGAts would learn (and care) about facts versus lies, try to save our environment, and do without their their AKs like most responsible adults.
I suppose I will support Sen Grassley's bill. However, I believed we had protection against foreign governments. Of course, we find out the prior bills to protect us was a toothless bill, so another bill is in the hopper. In this case, I shall demure to Sen Grassley, who has always appeared to be a Patriot against Liberals and progressive socialists.
I think the key here is to enforce what’s there already to work with. If people are not complying or enforcing the laws or rules what good is changing it going to do.
Go ahead and increase penalties if it makes Republicans feel like they are cracking down on FARA violations. But keep in mind there were no widespread violations before Trump was illegally put in office. And it’s doubtful if there will be a big issue after he is gone. Corrupt politicians beget corrupt followers with money.
Grassley is desperate to look like a *good Republican. Newsflash, Chuck: you’re done and so is your caveman party of traitors and bigots.
This bill is Grassley trying to look like he is doing something, when in fact, it’s already being done. Impeach Grassley, impeach Trump, let the country be run by its people and not wealthy oligarchs.
This is a serious matter, made more serious by decline in ethical behavior, loyalty to our country and morality. The punishment should be severe enough to ensure that such activity is not even considered by anyone.
Obviously the DOJ is not doing a good enough job of enforcing these laws in a way to keep people from still violating it. Giuliani and Manafort are good examples of the influence that foreign agents may exert on the very top of our government. In order to protect our democracy from foreign interference, all lobbyists must be investigated and held accountable.
The United States can not allow foreign operatives to continue to hide behind diplomatic immunity.
Grassley is a sneaky fuck. Exactly who does he define as a foreign agent: Clinton? Biden? Trump? What are the criteria? Who determines and what’s the evidentiary threshold? Fuck you Gr-Ass-ley. Another Republican wolf in sheep’s clothing stink bomb. Traitor.
UH...NOPE
DO WE REALLY TRUST THE DOJ?? THE PERSONAL ATTORNEY FOR THAT MORON IN THE WHITE HOUSE?? UH HUH!!
If this were any other administration or DOJ I would say yes. We must now accept our government is not whole. Our president’s intentions are obviously not in the best interest of America or the American people! I envision this Bill, should it pass, being weaponized for the political purpose of a rouge President, GOP and DOJ. Enough is enough! IMPEACH! Sweep the trash from our government, then deal with good common sense legislature that plugs holes that have allowed this to happen and asses severe, nonnegotiable penalties for those who place no more regard for our government than what they an steal from it. And while I am at it, I don’t know which ambassadors own their own planes, but I know the American people had damn well better not be paying for their use!
Foreign Agents Disclosure and Registration Enhancement Act , hopefully American First and the NRA will register as Russian agents! Grassley may need to watch what he hopes for, the republicans are back by Russian operatives and have money funneling to them through PAC’s! All PAC’s should have to disclose donors and source of money! Hunter Biden is nothing compare to Ivanka Trump and Jared Corey Kushner involvement in foreign countries, they are part of this administration and is a conflict of interest!
I think If there are groups lobbying on behalf of other countries in America it should be stopped. Actually lobbying all together should be stopped it’s a way for someone to buy the Government from the people. Instead big companies should pay fair taxes
