Shaheen Encouraged by Reports of FBI Investigation into FARA Violations by Russian-Backed Sputnik News Agency

**Shaheen has introduced bipartisan legislation that gives the Department of Justice new authority to investigate potential violations of FARA by Sputnik, RT America and others**

(Washington, DC)—U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) released the following statement after a press report confirmed that the FBI is investigating Sputnik, the Russian-backed news agency, for violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). Senator Shaheen has introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator Todd Young (R-IN) that gives the Department of Justice new authority to investigate potential violations of FARA.

“I’m very encouraged that the FBI is investigating the Sputnik news agency, which is funded by the Russian government,” said Shaheen. “We can’t allow foreign agents, particularly those working on behalf of our adversaries, to skirt our laws. Every new revelation about Russia's use of propaganda to influence the 2016 election further highlights the need for the federal government to bolster its enforcement of FARA. To that end, I've introduced legislation that empowers the Department of Justice to seize critical documentation from suspected violators of FARA. I hope that the FBI’s investigation into Sputnik will eventually be broadened to include RT America, another key component of Putin’s vast propaganda machine.”

Senator Shaheen’s Foreign Agents Registration Modernization and Enforcement Act gives the Department of Justice broader authority to compel organizations like Sputnik, RT America and others to produce documentation on funding sources and foreign connections.