CONGRESSMAN
A bill sponsored by Rep. Ben Cline, R-Va., aimed at preventing foreign entities from exerting hidden influence over the U.S. judicial system, cleared the House Judiciary Committee on Nov. 18.
H.R. 2675, the Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act, would impose new disclosure requirements on foreign participants in litigation funding and restrict certain foreign actors from financing lawsuits in U.S. federal courts. Cline said the measure is designed to safeguard the integrity of American courts.
“Foreign adversaries like the CCP have no business secretly influencing America’s courts,” Cline said in a statement. “My bill safeguards the integrity of our judicial system and ensures that the decisions made in U.S. courtrooms are driven by justice, not by hidden foreign interests. I am proud to see it pass out of the House Judiciary Committee today.”
Under the proposal, any foreign person or entity involved in civil litigation as a third-party litigation funder would be required to disclose their participation. The bill would also prohibit sovereign wealth funds and foreign governments from directly or indirectly funding litigation efforts. In addition, the Department of Justice’s National Security Division would be tasked with issuing a report examining foreign involvement in third-party litigation funding across the federal judiciary.
Cline represents Virginia’s 6th Congressional District.
-The Salem Times-Register
