The Hidden Influence of Foreign Money in US Politics

Foreign dollars are flooding into American politics, but not in the way you might think. It's not just about big donors or super PACs. Instead, billions of dollars are flowing into nonpartisan groups and advocacy organizations, shaping the political environment in which Americans vote.

These groups are often funded by foreign sources, and they're using that money to influence American laws, institutions, and culture. But here's the thing: most of this money is coming from Americans who care deeply about issues like climate change and social justice. They're not foreign agents, but rather passionate citizens who want to make a difference.

The problem is that there's a loophole in federal law that allows foreign money to flow into these groups, even if it's not directly contributing to a candidate or super PAC. This means that foreign dollars can finance get-out-the-vote campaigns, voter registration, issue advertising, and policy efforts, all of which can shape the political environment.

The line between regulated electoral activity and unregulated issue activity is blurry, and it's hard for the average American to tell the difference. But one thing is clear: foreign money is having a profound impact on American politics, and it's time to take a closer look.

Americans for Public Trust has launched a new database, FollowForeignMoney.org, to track the flow of foreign money into American nonprofit groups and advocacy organizations. At launch, they've identified over $5 billion in spending across more than 500 groups, documented in over 12,000 records. The scale is staggering, and it's time for Congress to take action.

So, what can be done? For starters, Congress can close the loophole that allows foreign money to flow into nonpartisan groups and advocacy organizations. They can also increase transparency and accountability, making it easier for Americans to see where their money is going and how it's being used.

It's time to take a closer look at the flow of foreign money in American politics and to make sure that our laws and institutions are working for the people, not just the special interests.