Sen Franken seeks FEC probe of foreign cash

Sen Al Franken (D-MN) has called on the Federal Election Commission to probe allegations that foreign companies are helping to finance US Chamber of Commerce efforts to sway the midterm elections in its favor - even as the chamber continues to insist no foreign money is used for its political activities. "I am profoundly concerned by recent reports that foreign corporations are indirectly spending significant sums to influence American elections through third-party groups," Sen Franken wrote in a letter to FEC Chairman Matthew Petersen. "I am writing to ask that you investigate these claims, enforce existing laws and regulations prohibiting foreign spending in American elections, and strengthen those very laws through new regulations and policy guidance."