A government watchdog is calling on state and federal officials to investigate billions of dollars in foreign funding flowing into American nonprofits involved in public policy, political advocacy, elections, and other influential causes. Americans for Public Trust says its newly launched database has identified more than $5 billion originating from foreign governments, individuals, and charities since 2002.
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From the Daily Caller News Foundation:
Americans for Public Trust (APT) is sending letters to all 50 governors and officials on six congressional committees directing them to its newly launched FollowForeignMoney.org database, which has cataloged a running total of more than $5 billion flowing from foreign governments, foreign nationals and foreign charities into U.S.-based nonprofits with records dating back to 2002. The group is calling on state and federal officials to examine whether existing laws adequately prevent foreign actors from indirectly influencing political outcomes.
“The information is available. The threat is real,” APT Executive Director Caitlin Sutherland wrote in the letters.
Federal law broadly prohibits foreign nationals from making contributions, donations, expenditures and disbursements in connection with U.S. elections, but foreign money can still finance certain activities through tax-exempt organizations, advocacy groups, voter registration efforts and other channels, according to APT.
APT’s findings come as Congress considers legislation aimed at closing some potential avenues for foreign involvement in American elections. The House passed the Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act in July, which would extend existing restrictions on foreign-national contributions and donations to include ballot initiatives and referenda. The legislation could next be considered by the Senate.
According to APT, significant sums of foreign money have entered the American nonprofit sector through foundations and philanthropic networks. The watchdog previously identified six major foreign-linked sources that it says collectively provided more than $2.65 billion to U.S. advocacy organizations.
One prominent source is Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss. APT reports that nonprofits associated with Wyss have provided approximately $673 million to American organizations. His Wyss Foundation and Berger Action Fund reportedly directed more than $372 million toward nonprofits associated with the Arabella Advisors network, including approximately $305 million from Berger to the Sixteen Thirty Fund.
The Sixteen Thirty Fund disputes suggestions that its activities improperly involve foreign influence. A spokesperson told the DCNF that the organization complies with laws governing nonprofits and “strictly follow[s] legal requirements regarding use of foreign funding.”
Foreign funding identified by APT also extends heavily into environmental advocacy. The watchdog says British billionaire Christopher Hohn’s Children’s Investment Fund Foundation accounted for approximately $638 million, while the London-based Quadrature Climate Foundation has directed more than $568 million to U.S.-based organizations.
Recipients identified in APT’s database include ClimateWorks Foundation, Energy Foundation China, the Environmental Defense Fund, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. NRDC told the DCNF that its priorities are determined by its U.S.-based staff and board and that the foreign funds identified by APT supported environmental work outside the United States.
The issue is attracting attention beyond Washington. Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, and Ohio have already taken steps addressing foreign funding connected to ballot-measure campaigns, according to APT. The organization is now urging officials in every state, along with leaders of six congressional committees, to use its database to examine whether additional safeguards are needed.
Foreign nationals are already prohibited from directly financing American elections. The billions documented by APT, however, raise a broader question for lawmakers: whether foreign money flowing through nonprofit organizations can indirectly shape American political debates and policies without violating existing campaign-finance restrictions.
Scripture encourages us to seek wisdom, truth, and integrity from those entrusted with authority. As lawmakers consider whether America’s laws sufficiently protect our political process from foreign influence, let’s pray that any vulnerabilities would be exposed and addressed. Pray that elected officials would act with wisdom and impartiality, that American elections and public policy would remain accountable to the American people, and that hidden efforts to improperly influence our nation would be brought into the light.
Share your prayers for integrity and transparency in America’s political process below.
(Excerpt from the Daily Caller News Foundation. Photo Credit: Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels)
