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Congress·In Progress·3 months ago

Congress Proposes Ban on Foreign Government Funding for U.S. Lawsuits

Also known as: Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act of 2025

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(1)
Immigrant
Neutral

Foreign individuals funding U.S. lawsuits must now be disclosed, which could discourage some legitimate litigation support for immigrants.

Key Points

  • This bill, introduced by Representative Cline, aims to stop foreign governments and their investment funds from paying for lawsuits in U.S. federal courts. It would make it illegal for any party in a civil case to accept money from a foreign state or a government-owned investment fund to help pay for their legal battle.
  • If an outside foreign person who is not part of a government provides money for a lawsuit, the people involved in the case must tell the court and the Department of Justice. They have to share the funder's name, address, and country, and they must provide a copy of the actual funding agreement to the other side.
  • The goal is to prevent foreign countries from using the American legal system to influence U.S. interests or manipulate court outcomes. By requiring transparency, the bill ensures that judges and the government know who is really behind a lawsuit and who stands to profit from the result.
  • The Attorney General would be required to send a report to Congress every year detailing how much foreign money is flowing into U.S. courts. This report would include which countries the money is coming from and what types of lawsuits are being funded.
  • Any legal funding agreement that breaks these rules would be considered null and void, meaning it would not be legally binding. Additionally, lawyers or parties who fail to report this information could face penalties or sanctions from the judge.
Criminal JusticeNational SecurityForeign Policy

Milestones

3 milestones5 actions
Nov 20, 2025House

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 11.

Nov 20, 2025House

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Nov 18, 2025House

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Apr 7, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Apr 7, 2025

Introduced in House

Related News

3 articles
Bloomberg Law·3 months ago

Foreign Investments in US Lawsuits Targeted by US House Panel

The House Judiciary Committee voted 15-11 to recommend the Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act of 2025. The proposal would bar sovereign wealth funds and foreign governments from funding US lawsuits as a third party and require other non-American investors to disclose involvement.

CL=
Bloomberg Law·3 months ago

Congress Debates Foreign Cash in US Courtrooms: Litigation Finance

A House Judiciary Committee hearing addressed the Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act. While supporters cite national security risks, the bill is making major funders like Burford Capital and Fortress Investment Group uneasy due to their ties to sovereign wealth funds.

CL~
Washington Examiner·3 months ago

Donor privacy must be defended against government overreach

Critics argue that Rep. Ben Cline’s Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act, while intended to curb foreign influence, would unconstitutionally force litigants to reveal the identities of third-party funders, potentially exposing contributors to harassment and retaliation.

CR−

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act of 2025

Bill NumberHR 2675
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionOrdered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 11.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(19)
D: 1R: 18

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.