Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2675
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Law
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-15: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 608.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-27T19:26:23Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 2675: Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act
Purpose
This legislation aims to increase transparency and oversight of third-party funding in civil lawsuits by foreign individuals or entities. It prohibits funding from foreign governments and their investment funds, requires disclosures of foreign funding sources, and mandates annual reports to Congress on such activities in federal courts.
Key Provisions
- Prohibitions on Funding: Makes it illegal for foreign governments or sovereign wealth funds (investment funds controlled by foreign governments) to provide money, directly or indirectly, to support lawsuits where they are not a named party. It also bars lawyers or parties from accepting such funding.
- Disclosure Requirements: In any civil lawsuit, parties or their lawyers must disclose in writing to the court, other parties, the Attorney General, and a national security official the names, addresses, and origins of any foreign persons, governments, or funds providing support or entitled to a share of lawsuit proceeds. They must also provide related documents and certify whether funding comes from foreign sources.
- Timing and Format: Disclosures must occur within 30 days of receiving funding or filing the lawsuit, using sworn declarations. Updates are required if information changes.
- Enforcement Mechanisms: Agreements violating the rules are void. Lawsuits using prohibited funding can be dismissed with prejudice. Final judgments may be reopened under existing court rules.
- Sanctions: Failure to disclose is treated like violations of federal civil procedure rules, allowing penalties.
- Definitions: Clarifies terms like "foreign person" (non-U.S. individuals or entities, excluding governments), "foreign state," and "sovereign wealth fund."
- Reporting: The Attorney General must submit annual reports to congressional judiciary committees detailing foreign funders, amounts, locations, and lawsuit topics.
- Applicability: Applies to all ongoing or new civil cases after the law's enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill adds a new section (1660) to chapter 111 of title 28 of the U.S. Code, introducing the first federal rules specifically addressing foreign third-party litigation funding. It expands disclosure obligations beyond current civil procedure rules (such as Rule 26) and creates new prohibitions and penalties not previously in law.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Increases workload for federal courts in reviewing disclosures and for the Department of Justice in receiving reports and enforcing rules; requires new annual congressional reporting.
- On Citizens and Parties: Parties in lawsuits may face dismissals or sanctions if foreign funding is involved; requires more paperwork and potential loss of funding sources.
- On International Relations: Could limit foreign governments' and their funds' involvement in U.S. lawsuits, potentially affecting cross-border legal strategies or investments.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Parties and lawyers in federal civil lawsuits.
- Foreign individuals, governments, and sovereign wealth funds.
- Federal courts and judges.
- The Attorney General and Department of Justice.
- Congressional judiciary committees.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Ties into existing federal rules of civil procedure by treating new disclosures as mandatory under those rules, potentially leading to sanctions.
- Raises issues around foreign involvement in U.S. courts, which may intersect with national security and international law considerations.
- Applies retroactively to pending cases, which could alter ongoing litigation dynamics.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (26)
Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Flood, Mike [R-NE-1], Rep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Alford, Mark [R-MO-4], Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2], Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24], Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5], Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14], Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6], Rep. Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2], Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6], Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3], Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-15: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 608.
- 2026-06-15: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-700.
- 2026-06-15: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-700.
- 2025-11-20: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 11.
- 2025-11-20: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-11-18: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-04-07: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-04-07: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-07: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-07 — PDF (9 pages)
- Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act — issued 2026-06-15 — PDF (14 pages)