UN Watch’s executive director unpacks his perspective on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency amid allegations of terror ties against the agency’s employees. FIRST ON FOX: A new House Republican-led bill aims to crack down on the flow of foreign money to U.S.-based think tanks and charities. Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Texas, told Digital that he’s introducing the “Think Tank and Nonprofit Foreign Influence Disclosure Act” to increase awareness of where those groups get their cash from and whether foreign governments could be using them to promote views hostile to U.S. interests. “We must pull back the curtain on foreign entities that seek to shape U.S. policy and public opinion through covert funding,” Gooden said.
The legislation, spearheaded by Rep. Lance Gooden, seeks to address concerns regarding the influence of foreign governments and political parties on U.S. think tanks and charitable organizations. Under the proposed bill, donations and contributions made to nonprofits by foreign governments or political parties would have to be publicly disclosed if the value exceeds $50,000. This measure aims to shed light on the unreported financing behind research organizations and nonprofits that shape U.S. foreign policy.
China, in particular, has been accused of attempting to wage a foreign influence campaign in the U.S. through think tanks and cultural institutions. The bill text obtained by Digital states that “foreign governments and foreign political parties attempt to influence the government and political system of the United States through donations to nonprofit charitable organizations, especially think tanks.”
The Trump administration had previously urged think tanks to disclose their sources of funding, and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tightened transparency provisions around think tank donations. However, it remains unclear whether this policy is still active under the Biden administration.
Rep. Lance Gooden’s bill is seen as a necessary measure to address concerns of covert foreign funding and to ensure transparency in the activities of think tanks and nonprofits. By publicly disclosing donations and contributions from foreign entities, the legislation aims to safeguard U.S. interests and prevent undue influence on U.S. policy and public opinion.
The impact of foreign funding on U.S. think tanks and charities has become a topic of increasing concern, with allegations of terror ties against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency raising questions about the integrity of these organizations. As the bill moves forward, it will be interesting to see how it is received by lawmakers and the potential implications it may have on the future activities of think tanks and nonprofits.
Elizabeth Elkind, a reporter for Digital, focuses on Congress and the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and politics. The latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more political content can be found on her Twitter handle, @liz_elkind.
