Senators Push for Disclosure of Foreign Ties in US Lawsuits

Foreign money is funding civil lawsuits against companies and industries, with national security implications.

Policemen take part in a raid on entertainment venues in Beijing on Oct. 25, 2006. The raid is part of Beijing police's efforts to crackdown on drug abuses, gambling, and prostitution at entertainment venues in the Chinese capital. Photo by China Photos/Getty Images

Senators across the political spectrum are calling for transparency in third-party funding of litigations in U.S. courts, citing large amounts of “foreign-sourced” money pouring into U.S. civil suits against companies and industries that pose significant national and economic security threats.

Last week, in a letter to the chief judges of Florida’s three federal districts—a total of 15 district courts—Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) sought the enforcement of disclosure rules for foreign third-party litigation funding.