PAID OFF Act of 2025
Summary
What This Bill Does
The PAID OFF Act narrows several FARA exemptions for agents connected to countries of concern. It amends section 3 of the Foreign Agents Registration Act so the exemptions in subsections (d)(1), (d)(2), and (h) do not apply to an agent of a foreign principal that is a corporate or government entity owned or controlled by one or more identified countries listed in section 1(m)(1)(A) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act. The bill also adds a process for the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Attorney General, to propose additions or deletions to that country list, with changes effective only after a joint resolution of approval. The amendments terminate five years after enactment.
Who Benefits and How
FARA transparency users benefit because agents for covered foreign-government-owned or controlled entities lose access to specified registration exemptions. National security advocates benefit from broader disclosure around influence work tied to listed countries of concern. Congressional foreign relations and judiciary committees benefit from a formal role in approving changes to the country list. Justice Department FARA enforcement staff benefit from clearer statutory limits on exemption claims by covered agents.
Who Bears the Burden and How
Covered foreign agents must register or comply with FARA obligations when the specified exemptions no longer apply. Corporate and government entities owned or controlled by listed countries of concern lose easier access to exempt representation in the United States. Foreign influence law firms and advisers must screen clients for country-of-concern ownership or control and comply with FARA filing rules. State Department and Attorney General staff must prepare country-list proposals and submit them for congressional approval. Congress must process joint resolutions for country-list changes before they take effect.
Key Provisions
- Restricts FARA exemptions for agents of covered foreign principals tied to countries of concern.
- Requires covered agents to register or comply when exemptions in subsections (d)(1), (d)(2), and (h) are unavailable.
- Requires State Department and Attorney General consultation on country-list changes.
- Requires congressional approval by joint resolution before country-list modifications take effect.
- Terminates the amendments five years after enactment.
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Limits Foreign Agents Registration Act exemptions for agents of foreign principals that are corporate or government entities owned or controlled by listed countries of concern, while creating a congressional approval process for changing the country list and sunsetting the amendments after five years.
Key Policy Areas
Foreign Agents Registration, National Security, Foreign Influence
Primary Purpose
Limits Foreign Agents Registration Act exemptions for agents of foreign principals that are corporate or government entities owned or controlled by listed countries of concern, while creating a congressional approval process for changing the country list and sunsetting the amendments after five years.
Policy Domains
Substantive provisions
Identified Gains
- FARA transparency users
- National security advocates
- Congressional foreign relations committees
- Congressional judiciary committees
- Justice Department FARA enforcement staff
Identified Costs
- Covered foreign agents
- Foreign principals owned by countries of concern
- Foreign influence law firms
- Foreign policy advisers
- State Department staff
- Attorney General staff
- Congressional procedure staff
Sponsors
August Pfluger
R-TX | Primary Sponsor
Legislative Progress
In CommitteeMr. Pfluger (for himself and Mr. Crow) introduced the following …
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition …
Introduced in House
Stakeholder Effects
cui bono?How this legislation distributes effects. Mention counts reflect frequency, not effect magnitude.
Congressional procedure staff, Justice Department FARA enforcement staff, State Department country-list staff
Positive-direction: Justice Department FARA enforcement staff
Negative-direction: Congressional procedure staff, State Department country-list staff
Covered foreign agents, Foreign principals owned by countries of concern
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology