Isn't it Illegal for Foreign Nations or Their Agents to Lobby The Congress?

ThomWV

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Tue Nov-20-07 09:31 AM
Original message

Isn't it Illegal for Foreign Nations or Their Agents to Lobby The Congress?

From way way back in gradeschool I seem to recall that foreign nations were not allowed to lobby our members of Congress nor could they hire domestic firms to do their bidding. Is that not the case and if not why not?

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Beerboy

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Tue Nov-20-07 09:37 AM
Response to Original message

1. 'Lobby' encompasses a lot,

they're allowed to use PR firms, and they also work through the Dept. of State through official channels to influence U.S. policy.
I think the only thing expressly prohibited is direct campaign contributions to candidates seeking office.

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salvorhardin

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Tue Nov-20-07 09:37 AM
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2. Do you have a specific example?

For instance, many people conflate AIPAC with representing the Israeli government. It doesn't. AIPAC in fact represents pro-Israeli Americans.

Do you have any specific instances in mind of foreign nations lobbying Congress? I've been out of the news loop so if there's a recently breaking story excuse my ignorance.

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arcos

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Tue Nov-20-07 09:40 AM
Response to Reply #2

3. Here...

WASHINGTON: Just how low is Pakistan's stock in the United States? Try this: A top Washington lobby firm has withdrawn from its contract with Islamabad after the declaration of martial law in the country.

The firm, Cassidy and Associates, had in October signed a $ 1.2 million deal with Pakistan to promote its status as an "important strategic partner of the US" The Pakistan account was to be handled by Robin Raphel, a former assistant secretary of state for South Asia (1993 to 1997) who recently joined Cassidy as a senior vice-president.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/US_lobby_firms_dump_Pakistan/articleshow/2531091.cms

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ThomWV

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Tue Nov-20-07 09:40 AM
Response to Reply #2

4. American Turkish Council (ATC), and AIPAC come immediately to mind

AIPAC doesn't lobby for Israel my ass.

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BuyingThyme

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Tue Nov-20-07 09:55 AM
Response to Reply #4

6. The I always gives them away.

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BuyingThyme

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Tue Nov-20-07 10:01 AM
Response to Reply #2

7. If AIPAC doesn't represent Israel, for which country are they committing espionage?

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Captain Hilts

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Tue Nov-20-07 09:52 AM
Response to Original message

5. No. Sinn Fein has an office on Capitol Hill, and the PLO used to have one in town. nt

Edited on Tue Nov-20-07 09:53 AM by MookieWilson

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BuyingThyme

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Tue Nov-20-07 11:07 AM
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8. kcik

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