As an American citizen who values transparency, I believe it's imperative that we hold organizations accountable for their lobbying activities—especially when these involve foreign interests. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), one of the most influential lobbying groups in the United States, has long been exempted from registering under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). This lack of disclosure raises critical concerns about the transparency of their actions and the interests they serve.

FARA, a U.S. law passed in 1938, requires individuals and entities acting as agents of foreign principals to disclose their relationship with the foreign country, as well as information about related activities and finances. The aim of this law is to ensure that the American public and lawmakers are aware of the source of information intended to influence public opinion, policy, and legislation.

AIPAC, although advocating on behalf of a foreign entity's interests, does not currently register under this act due to their claim that they represent a domestic constituency. However, the influence of foreign policy actions stemming from their lobbying activities necessitates transparency. According to an investigation by the Center for Responsive Politics, AIPAC's activities have significant impacts on U.S. foreign policy, including billions of dollars in aid and military support to Israel, much of which is derived from American taxpayers' money.

In order to safeguard our democratic processes, it is crucial that the American people know who is influencing our elected officials and driving policy decisions that affect both our nation and international relations. By requiring AIPAC to register under FARA, we can usher in a new era of transparency and accountability, aligning with the principles that FARA was originally designed to uphold.

I urge you to stand by me in demanding that AIPAC register under FARA. This move is not about stifling advocacy but about ensuring that lobbying activities related to foreign policy are subjected to the same transparency standards as other forms of lobbying. Please join me in signing this petition to protect the integrity of our democratic system and to ensure that our lawmakers' decisions reflect the informed consent of the American public.