Following The Money: Foreign Governments Buying Influence Via Think Tanks It seems that in order for foreign countries to get the attention of U.S. lawmakers and to try to influence policy here for their own benefit, they are exploiting a loophole in non-profit tax reporting law that applies to 501(c)(4)s, or the sorts of non-profits where major donors are allowed to remain anonymous in exchange for not getting a tax credit. (These non-profits are the same classification as the TEA Party-Conservative non-profits that were denied status by the IRS for years under Lois Lerner.) The research institutions we know of as Think Tanks fall into this category, and it seems that countries such as Japan, Norway, China, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and many more are using them as lobbying firms since U.S. law expressly prohibits foreign governments from soliciting influence with Congress directly. From an explosive New York Times report. Troubling? Try should be setting off alarm bells all over America. There is a reason why it is illegal in this country for foreign governments to lobby Congress. Congress exists, supposedly, to represent the interests of the people and the states, not foreign powers. On the one hand, it is heartening to know that the US still has the kind of influence around the world that prompts other governments to try to get us to see things their way, but our government exists to serve us, not them. An accompanying piece to the main NYT article outlines from where some serious money is making its way to the following think tanks: And thats just nine out of twenty eight think tanks on the take. The money is coming from all over the globe and it seems that foreign governments consider this to be investment capital as opposed to simply funding research. Foreign officials describe these relationships as pivotal to winning influence on the cluttered Washington stage, where hundreds of nations jockey for attention from the United States government. The arrangements vary: Some countries work directly with think tanks, drawing contracts that define the scope and direction of research. Others donate money to the think tanks, and then pay teams of lobbyists and public relations consultants to push the think tanks to promote the countrys agenda. Push foreign agendas with OUR government. Could it be that the think tanks which have a patina ofacademic neutrality and objectivity are truly being used in exchange for grant money that the U.S. government is no longer providing? Prostituting themselves for cash and compromising research? At this time, 501(c)(4)s are not required to report the amount of revenue coming from foreign sources. As a result of the New York Times reporting, according to the Washington Free Beacon: A rule changehas been introduced in the House to require think tanks to disclose sources of foreign funding when they testify before Congress. Its a solid proposal. But it does not go far enough. Congress should pass a law making contributions to think tanks by foreign governments and foreign nationals subject to [the Foreign Agents Registration Act]. What else could that money be for, if not to influence policy and public opinion to further foreign interests? Here is one area where transparency is vital. Let the money be disclosed. Or let it dry up. Not that the Department of Justice is the most trustworthy when it comes to enforcing law meant to benefit Americans these days, but think tanks should be required to register at foreign agents if they take foreign money and then produce research reflecting pre-determined outcomes. 