Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)

The Foreign Agents Registration Act (22 U.S.C. 611-621) requires persons acting as agents of foreign principals in a political or quasi-political capacity to disclose their relationship with the foreign entity, their activities, receipts, and disbursements in support of those activities. Originally enacted in 1938 to counter Nazi propaganda, FARA is administered by the FARA Registration Unit within the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section of the Department of Justice's National Security Division. FARA is distinct from the LDA, though there is some overlap.

Lobbyists who represent foreign governments or foreign political parties generally must register under FARA rather than the LDA. However, lobbyists representing foreign commercial entities (private companies) may register under the LDA instead if they meet certain conditions. This distinction has been controversial, as critics argue that the LDA's less stringent disclosure requirements allow significant foreign influence activity to occur with minimal transparency. FARA enforcement has historically been lax, but increased attention following investigations into foreign influence in the 2016 election led to a resurgence of enforcement actions.

High-profile cases have involved lobbyists and political consultants who failed to register while representing foreign governments. FARA registrants must file supplemental statements every six months and label any informational materials distributed on behalf of their foreign principals.