Reps. Kaptur, Johnson, Torres, Blumenauer, Swalwell Lead Letter to Attorney General Garland to Raise Concerns about Potential Violations of Campaign Law, and the Foreign Agents Registration Act, by Rep. Santos (NY-03)

Washington, DC – Today, Representatives Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), and Eric Swalwell (CA-14) sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland raising concerns about potential violations of U.S. campaign laws, and the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), by New York Representative George Santos (NY-03). A full copy of the letter can be found by clicking here.

The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) was enacted in 1938. FARA requires certain agents of foreign principals who are engaged in political acts to make periodic public disclosure of their relationship with a foreign principal. FARA also requires disclosure of activities, receipts, and disbursements to facilitate evaluation by the government and the American people of the activities of such persons in light of their function as foreign agents. 

Reports of Rep. Santos’ dealings with Russian oligarchs raise serious concerns about potential violations of U.S. campaign law. If any of his campaign funds came from Russian sources, the potential for his acting as a Foreign Agent should be included in any FARA inquiry. Keeping our nation safe from our adversaries has taken a new face, and threats from within are also a task that we must take into account when conducting oversight and investigation. Over the past decade our country has had many encounters that could have put the American people and national security at risk, including Russian interest in infiltrating, and influencing our political realm.

“Protecting our nation from malign foreign influence is one of the most important duties to which Members of Congress swear an oath. We must do all we can to ensure that Members come to serve without foreign interference, and are not beholden to foreign powers,” said Rep. Kaptur. “Any violation of the Foreign Agent Registration Act or campaign finance laws needs to be taken seriously, and given resolute investigation and oversight by both the Department of Justice as well as as the House Ethics Committee. I look forward to a timely response from Attorney General Garland, and to working with him to ensure that this matter receives proper attention.”

As Members of Congress, we look forward to working with the Attorney General and Department of Justice on how we can best assist in providing additional oversight capabilities, particularly in the area of Russian interference in American governance and our political system. As the landscape and complexities of this investigation evolve daily, we appreciate close attention and a prompt response into issues regarding potential wrongdoing by Rep. Santos.

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