Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI) reportedly filed new legislation on Wednesday that would compel state-sponsored media companies operating on Capitol Hill to conform with the Foreign Agents Registration Act and other relevant U.S. laws.
Bergman’s legislation comes after he wrote a letter to Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) last month specifically targeting Qatar’s Al Jazeera Media Network.
Bergman is a retired Marine Corps Lt. General who now serves as the Chairman of the House Armed Services Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee (AJMN).
Bergman and two other members of the House called on press credentials for the Qatar based Al Jazeera Media Network to be immediately suspended.
Bergman’s bill singles out six foreign rivals, including Russia, Qatar, and China, that have a well-documented history of spying on Americans and operate powerful state-controlled media agencies with practically unfettered access to U.S. politicians, making espionage easier.
Bergman’s office identified multiple incidents of China, Russia, and Qatar spying on Americans on U.S. territory, thereby underscoring the need of the Act.
“Troublingly, state-sponsored media outlets are not subjected to background checks prior to acquiring credentials, even if the outlet is owned or controlled by a state that is known to have conducted espionage operations targeting U.S. government officials or other Americans. Over the past decade, the People’s Republic of China, Russia, and the State of Qatar have aggressively deployed their espionage forces against United States Government agencies and government officials, as well as targeting thousands of United States businesses and Americans perceived to be opponents or dissidents of their regimes.” a statement from Bergman read.
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Why does it take new legislation to enforce what is already on the books. More evidence that no one up there is doing their job. Pathetic.