Washington
Representative Barry Moore Introduces Nigerian Accountability Act to Ban Foreign Paid Lobbying
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Key points
- Representative Barry Moore introduced H.R. 10939 to prohibit compensated lobbying for foreign regimes violating religious freedoms.
- The Nigerian Accountability Act applies restrictions while a nation maintains a Country of Particular Concern designation.
- The legislation remains under review within the House Committee on the Judiciary following its introduction.
NewsWK — Lawmakers in Washington are targeting paid influence operations tied to foreign governments accused of religious persecution. Representative Barry Moore introduced new legislation on October 29, 2026. The bill halts paid representation for foreign human rights violators.
What does HR 10939 mean for federal lobbying integrity?
The Nigerian Accountability Act targets paid representation by establishing strict financial bans on foreign agents. Under the proposed rules, individuals cannot receive compensation to lobby for the Nigerian government while official violations continue. prohibit compensated lobbying on behalf of the Nigerian government for the duration of its designation as a country of particular concern for religious freedom
Why is Congress considering a Nigeria foreign lobbying ban?
Congress is evaluating foreign influence following ongoing concerns regarding international human rights standards. Representative Barry Moore introduced the proposal during the 119th Congress to enforce accountability against foreign leaders. The legislation restricts access to Washington lobbyists as long as religious persecution continues under designated foreign regimes.
House leaders immediately referred the measure to the House Committee on the Judiciary on October 29, 2026. However, the bill currently remains under active committee review and has not yet advanced to a full floor vote.
How does HR 10939 tie lobbying restrictions to religious freedom?
The bill directly links foreign representation to statutory standards set by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. Specifically, restrictions apply whenever officials list a nation under Country of Particular Concern Nigeria standards. for the duration of Nigeria’s designation as a country of particular concern for religious freedom
Also, the proposed measure cites several key sections of the United States Code:
- 22 U.S.C. § 611 and § 613, which regulate foreign agent registrations.
- 22 U.S.C. § 6442, which outlines federal religious freedom designations.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Sources
Related: Senate Bill Targets Religious Persecution in China as Lawmakers Push to Hold Beijing Accountable
Related: Right to Worship Act Introduced in U.S. House to Address Religious Freedom Protections
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