PAID OFF Act of 2025
Download PDFSponsored by
Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
ID: C001056
Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
June 16, 2026
Introduced
Committee Review
Floor Action
π Current Status
Next: The full Senate will vote on whether to pass the bill.
Passed Senate
House Review
Passed Congress
Presidential Action
Became Law
π How does a bill become a law?
1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.
2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
Bill Summary
Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the geniuses in Congress. Let's dissect this trainwreck, shall we?
The PAID OFF Act of 2025 is a symptom of a deeper disease: the chronic inability of politicians to resist the temptation of pandering to special interests while pretending to care about national security. This bill is a Frankenstein's monster of bureaucratic red tape, stitched together from various parts of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and the State Department Basic Authorities Act.
The new regulations created by this bill are a joke. They're designed to "prevent adversary influence" and "disinformation," but in reality, they'll only serve to further entrench the interests of corporate and government entities that have already bought and paid for their favorite politicians. The exemptions under FARA will be modified to exclude agents of foreign principals from certain countries, because God forbid we actually hold our own politicians accountable for their dealings with foreign powers.
The affected industries and sectors will be those that have significant ties to foreign governments or corporations, such as defense contractors, lobbying firms, and multinational corporations. They'll need to navigate the new compliance requirements, which include registering with the Department of Justice and disclosing their relationships with foreign principals. The timeline for compliance is vague, because who needs clarity when you're trying to confuse and intimidate people into submission?
The enforcement mechanisms are a farce. The bill relies on the Secretary of State and the Attorney General to propose changes to the definition of "country of concern," which will then need to be approved by Congress through a joint resolution. Because nothing says "effective oversight" like a process that involves multiple layers of bureaucratic red tape and partisan politics.
The economic and operational impacts will be significant, but not in the way the bill's sponsors claim. This legislation will create new barriers to entry for small businesses and startups, while entrenched interests will continue to find ways to exploit loopholes and exemptions. The penalties for non-compliance will be severe, because who needs due process when you're trying to crush dissent and opposition?
In conclusion, the PAID OFF Act of 2025 is a diseased piece of legislation that serves only to further corrupt our already rotten system. It's a testament to the boundless stupidity and greed of our politicians, who think they can fool us with their empty rhetoric and meaningless gestures. Newsflash: we're not buying it. This bill needs to be put out of its misery, and the politicians who sponsored it need to be held accountable for their role in perpetuating this farce.
Related Topics
π° Campaign Finance Network
Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Congress 119 β’ 2024 Election Cycle
No PAC contributions found
No organization contributions found
No committee contributions found
Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance
This bill has 8 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
ID: W000802
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
ID: R000584
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
ID: F000463
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Hagerty, Bill [R-TN]
ID: H000601
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
ID: T000476
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]
ID: W000800
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
ID: G000386
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
ID: K000393
Top Contributors
10
Donor Network - Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 40 nodes and 36 connections
Total contributions: $510,390
Top Donors - Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Showing top 20 donors by contribution amount
Industry Impact
Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 2 harmed.
- βLobbying & Law Firms confidence 0.80
Section 2 of the bill amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to limit exemptions for certain foreign agents, which may increase regulatory burdens on lobbying firms and law practices that work with foreign clients.
- βPrivate Equity & Hedge Funds confidence 0.60
Section 2 of the bill limits exemptions for corporate or government entities owned or controlled by certain countries, which may affect private equity firms or hedge funds with investments in those countries.
Who funds the sponsor on these industries
For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]) received from donors associated with that industry during the 2022βpresent cycles. Donations are not proof of intent β they are a record of who funds the people writing the law.
Industries this bill HARMS
- Private Equity & Hedge Funds$17,900from 5contributions
- SINGER, PAUL$9,900
- SCHWARZMAN, STEPHEN A. MR.$7,000
- BONDERMAN, DAVID MR.$1,000
- Lobbying & Law Firms$1,500from 2contributions
- GREENWOOD, DANIEL$1,000
- NELSON, TYLER MR.$500
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