In the unfolding saga of Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), new information has surfaced that may further illuminate the allegations of corruption against him.
Already facing bribery charges, Menendez has now been indicted for failing to register as a foreign agent. Interestingly, it has come to light that Menendez has a history of opposing reforms to the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) during his tenure as senator.
According to Senate records, Senator Menendez, who was recently charged with acting as a foreign agent, has consistently opposed reforms to the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). In 2020, Menendez thwarted an attempt by Republican Senator Chuck Grassley to implement stricter penalties for foreign entities exerting influence on the U.S. government.
Grassley's bipartisan-led initiative, the Foreign Agents Disclosure and Registration Enhancement Act of 2019, aimed to augment existing legislation to increase transparency around foreign lobbying campaigns.
Menendez voiced his opposition on the Senate floor, arguing that it was premature to introduce additional enforcement tools before establishing what the regulatory framework should look like. "The disturbing rise of foreign influence campaigns that use a variety of measures to mask who is the ultimate source or beneficiary should serve as an alarm bell for all of us," Menendez stated, according to congressional records. He further suggested that before making any changes to the existing FARA regulations and exemptions, a comprehensive review should be undertaken.
Menendez also opposed the PAID OFF Act, a bill introduced by a bipartisan group of senators in this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Act sought to prevent lobbyists representing clients in countries designated as "foreign adversaries" from claiming exemptions provided by FARA. Despite efforts by Senator Cornyn to include the bill in this year's NDAA, Menendez declined to sign off on it, effectively blocking its passage.
A spokesperson for Menendez explained that the senator objected to the bill's inclusion in the NDAA because it had not undergone the regular committee process. The spokesperson also noted that Menendez intended to work on broader FARA reform through his committee. Notably, Menendez's opposition to these reforms occurred while he was under investigation.
The Justice Department's accusation that Menendez acted on behalf of the Egyptian government without registering as a foreign agent makes his opposition to FARA reform bills particularly significant. The grand jury indictment alleges that Menendez and his wife accepted substantial bribes from three businessmen in return for using his "power and influence as a Senator" to benefit the individuals and Egypt. The indictment further alleges that Menendez provided "sensitive" information to Cairo.
The United States Attorney for the Southern District, Damian Williams, claimed that the senator and his wife accepted bribes in the forms of cash, gold, and luxury items. Menendez, however, has vehemently denied all allegations. "I have been falsely accused before because I refused to back down to the powers that be, and the people of New Jersey were able to see through the smoke and mirrors and recognize I was innocent," Menendez retorted, dismissing the charges as a smear campaign orchestrated by his adversaries.
The allegations have led some Democrats to call for Menendez's resignation. Despite this, Menendez has refused to step down and has even indicated his intention to seek re-election. However, in light of the Justice Department's allegations, Menendez's opposition to legislation designed to prevent individuals from working for the interests of foreign governments without transparency raises serious questions.
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