Lobbyists would lose pay for representing certain foreign interests

A lobbyist would be barred from accepting or agreeing to accept payment for lobbying on behalf of a covered foreign government, party, or client. The governments named are China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba, along with their agencies and certain related entities. The covered clients also include certain current or former officials, political parties, businesses formed by or for those people, and their immediate family members. China includes Hong Kong and Macao, but not Taiwan. The ban covers direct or indirect payment in any form, including noncash benefits. It does not apply to entities covered by a qualifying divestiture under the named federal law. The section would take effect July 1, 2027.

The attorney general may seek repayment of compensation, a civil penalty, and a court order requiring future compliance. These enforcement tools concern violations of the ban on paid lobbying for covered foreign governments, parties, and clients. The civil penalty may be up to $1,000 per violation. When the attorney general has reason to believe a violation has occurred or been agreed to, the attorney general may demand records, written answers under oath, or sworn testimony, and may ask a court to enforce the demand. These provisions would take effect July 1, 2027, with the rest of the section.