Hot: Saudi Arabia spends $24 million to influence public opinion in US election
Saudi Arabia spent more than $24 million to influence US policy and sway public opinion in the 2018 midterm elections.
This is according to a new analysis published by the Center for Responsive Politics (CRP) on October 23, which said that the US Department of Justice had disclosed this information and that the money from Saudi Arabia was made under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
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| Sputnik reported that Saudi Arabia spent $24 million to influence public opinion in the US election. Photo: Reuters |
Sputnik cited CRP's analysis as saying that $18 million of this money was spent through foreign agencies representing Saudi Arabia's interests in 2017 and the remaining $6 million is being disbursed this year.
“This total puts Saudi Arabia among the top 10 countries spending money on influence and lobbying activities in the United States. Political donations by foreign companies representing Saudi Arabia’s interests exceeded $1.6 million in the 2018 U.S. midterm elections,” CRP’s analysis said.
According to CRP, these expenses do not include donations to members of the US House Armed Services Committee, including the campaign of Mr. Howard "Buck" McKeon - former Chairman of the US House Armed Services Committee, when he registered to work as a foreign representative of Saudi Arabia./.
