It may begin with an unusual media inquiry or a sudden spike in interest on social media. Just as often, it starts with a non-public request for documents or other evidence. Your boss or your staff have been accused of
Inside Political Law
Updates on developments in campaign finance, lobbying & government ethics law
Inside Political Law, published by Covington & Burling LLP, focuses on legal and regulatory issues related to political activities and campaign finance in the United States. The blog covers topics such as the formation and operation of super PACs, corporate and industry political contributions, compliance with election laws, investigations involving members of Congress and political staff, and enforcement actions related to nonprofit organizations and foreign agent registration. It provides guidance on navigating complex political law matters, including recent developments in federal and state regulations, enforcement trends, and strategic considerations for political consultants, corporations, and nonprofits engaged in political advocacy and campaign finance.
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DOJ Posts (then Takes Down) Seventeen New Advisory Opinions Regarding the Foreign Agents Registration Act
Following an announcement in September that the White House intends to deploy the Foreign Agents Registration Act (“FARA”) to investigate persons with foreign ties that “foment political violence,” the FARA Unit of the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) quietly (and maybe…
Tax Exemption and Constitutional Vagueness – What Freedom Path Means for 501(c)(4) Organizations
The recent decision in Freedom Path, Inc. v. Internal Revenue Service addressed whether the IRS’s standards used to deny Freedom Path’s tax exemption as a 501(c)(4) organization were unconstitutionally vague. The United States District Court for the District of Columbia partially agreed…
Congressional Ethics Investigations: An Overview of Processes, Challenges, and Implications for Private Actors
Following a string of high-profile investigations targeting Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, congressional ethics investigations are more visible than ever. Indeed, as we recently explored, the House Ethics Committee in particular may be moving…
DOJ Withdraws Dozens of Regulatory Actions, Keeps FARA NRPM
The U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ” or the “Department”) announced that, effective September 11, 2025, it is withdrawing several dozen Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRMs”), Advance Notices of Proposed Rulemaking, and Supplemental Notices of Proposed Rulemaking. The Department explained that…
Federal Court Dismisses Pre-Enforcement Challenge to HELP Committee Subpoena, Underscoring Limited Options for Congressional Subpoena Targets
On September 16, 2025, Judge Trevor McFadden of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed Dr. Ralph de la Torre’s effort to bar criminal or civil enforcement of the Senate’s resolutions holding him in civil and criminal…
Administration Targets Lobbying by Federal Grantees with New Presidential Memorandum
Federal contractors, grantees, borrowers, and others receiving federal funds face a variety of restrictions on their use of those funds for political purposes, including for lobbying. A new presidential memorandum issued last week by President Trump highlights one of those…
Corporate Political Disclosure Shareholder Proposals Draw Surprising Support
Shareholder proposals on political issues—particularly lobbying spending disclosure and campaign finance issues—have been a common part of the proxy landscape for some time now. This proxy season, proposals seeking greater transparency around corporate political spending had surprising success compared to…
Congress Weighs Foreign Agent Disclosure and Registration Bills
Congress is considering several bills to broaden disclosure and registration requirements related to the regulation of foreign agents under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (“FARA”) and the Lobbying Disclosure Act (“LDA”): the Foreign Registration Obligations for Nonprofit Transparency (“FRONT”) Act…
DOJ Issues Memorandum for Federal Funding Recipients Addressing “Unlawful Discrimination” Practices
On July 29, 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a memorandum titled “Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination.” The memorandum purports to offer “guidance” and “Best Practices” to recipients of federal funding, including “non-binding suggestions to help…