Georgia Secretary of State says there can't be backdoors for foreign money in US elections

Georgia GOP Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Wednesday expressed the importance of making sure there are no loopholes or backdoors for foreign money to fund U.S. elections. 

"We need a statewide ... legislation so we can look at any foreign funding and campaigns and elections," Raffensperger said on the "Just the News, No Noise" TV show. "We need to ban that, and then we also need to require lobbyists or consultants that are working with foreign entities to be registered so we know who they're working for."

Last year, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Penn., introduced bipartisan legislation entitled the Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act, which would prohibit contributions and donations by foreign nationals in American elections. 

Federal campaigns are not allowed to take foreign money, but 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations have allegedly received "dark money" used to influence elections. 

"We want to know who people are working for," Raffensperger said. "If they're working with a foreign entity or if they're an agent with a foreign entity, I believe that's a responsibility that needs to be disclosed."

He added that transparency on this issue is very crucial.

"We want to make sure we have accountability here and shine the light of day on this," he continued. "So we know that American citizens are electing our representatives here in the state of Georgia."