Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB137

Introduced
1/9/23  

Caption

Justice for Victims of Kleptocracy Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Justice to publish and regularly update its website with an accounting of property that is forfeited to the United States as a result of foreign government corruption. It also expresses the sense of Congress that recovered assets shall be returned for the benefit of the people harmed by the corruption.

Impact

If enacted, HB 137 would amend Chapter 46 of Title 18 of the United States Code to formalize the requirement for the Department of Justice to regularly update its accounting of forfeited foreign assets. This law is likely to affect how the U.S. manages and reports on assets seized in corruption cases, thereby reassuring both domestic and international stakeholders that the government is adept at addressing integrity and justice concerning overseas corruption. The legislation reflects a broader commitment to international accountability by ensuring that reparations are documented and, if feasible, returned to the rightful citizens harmed by the corruption.

Summary

House Bill 137, known as the Justice for Victims of Kleptocracy Act of 2023, mandates that the Attorney General provides a public accounting of property forfeited to the United States due to foreign government corruption. The bill stipulates that this accounting should detail the assets recovered in a specific format, including a heading indicating the source and the total amount recovered for the benefit of the affected foreign governments. This legislative move aims to enhance transparency and hold accountable those responsible for corruption in foreign states.

Contention

Notably, the bill emphasizes the necessity for rigorous oversight and transparency in the administration of recovered assets. It expresses the sense of Congress that these assets should be directed towards the benefit of the people impacted by corruption, provided that there are safeguards for effective use and monitoring. While this aspect has the potential to garner bipartisan support in principle, the implementation details and the resource allocation for enforcement may be the subjects of future debates, particularly concerning the complexities of international law and asset recovery processes.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB457

Combating Global Corruption Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of State to address corruption in foreign governments. The State Department must annually publish a ranking of foreign countries based on their government's efforts to eliminate corruption. Corruption, for the purposes of the bill, is the unlawful exercise of entrusted public power for private gain, including by bribery, nepotism, fraud, or embezzlement. The bill outlines the minimum standards that the State Department must consider when creating the ranking. These considerations include, for example, whether a country has criminalized corruption, adopted measures to prevent corruption, and complied with the United Nations Convention against Corruption and other relevant international agreements. Tier one countries meet the standards; tier two countries make some efforts to meet the standards; tier three countries make de minimis or no efforts to meet the standards. If a country is ranked in the second or third tier, the State Department must designate an anti-corruption contact at the U.S. diplomatic post in that country to promote good governance and combat corruption. The State Department must report annually to Congress a list of foreign persons (individuals or entities) (1) who have engaged in significant corruption in a tier three country, and (2) upon whom the President has imposed sanctions pursuant to this bill.

US SB53

Combating Global Corruption Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of State to address corruption in foreign governments. The State Department must annually publish a tiered ranking of foreign countries based on their government's efforts to eliminate corruption. The bill outlines the minimum standards that the State Department must consider when creating the ranking, such as whether a country has criminalized corruption, adopted measures to prevent corruption, and complied with the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and other relevant international agreements. Tier one countries meet the standards; tier two countries make some efforts to meet the standards; tier three countries make de minimis or no efforts to meet the standards. If a country is ranked in the second or third tier, the State Department must designate an anti-corruption contact at the U.S. diplomatic post in that country to promote good governance and combat corruption. The State Department must report annually to Congress a list of foreign persons (individuals or entities) (1) who have engaged in significant corruption in a tier three country, and (2) upon whom the President has imposed sanctions pursuant to this bill.

US HB2517

Retirement Forfeiture for Members of Congress Turned Foreign Lobbyists Act

US HCR28

Expressing the sense of Congress that tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies have historically provided and continue to provide critical benefits to the people and communities of the United States.

US HR519

Recognizing that the United States has a moral obligation to meet its foundational promise of guaranteed justice for all.

US HJR8

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require that the Supreme Court of the United States be composed of nine justices.

US HB51

Washington, D.C. Admission Act This bill provides for the admission of the state of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth into the United States. The commonwealth consists of all the territory of the District of Columbia (DC), excluding certain federal property. The excluded property shall be known as the Capital and serve as the seat of federal government; it includes the principal federal monuments, the White House, the Capitol Building, the Supreme Court Building, and the federal office buildings located adjacent to the Mall and Capitol Building. In addition, the bill maintains the federal government's authority over military lands and specified other property and prohibits the commonwealth from taxing federal property except as permitted by Congress. Within 30 days of this bill's enactment, the DC mayor must call for the election of two Senators and one Representative for the commonwealth. The commonwealth shall be admitted into the United States upon a presidential proclamation announcing the results of that election. The bill applies current DC laws to the commonwealth and continues pending judicial proceedings. It also continues certain federal authorities and responsibilities, including regarding employee benefits, agencies, and courts, until the commonwealth certifies that it is prepared to take over those authorities and responsibilities. Further, the bill provides for expedited consideration of a joint resolution to repeal the Twenty-third Amendment to the Constitution (which allows DC citizens to vote in presidential elections). The bill also establishes a commission to advise the President, Congress, and DC and commonwealth leaders on the transition.

US HB332

Supporting Mexico Against Corruption Act This bill directs the President to impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions on foreign persons who are current or former officials of the Mexican government and who are responsible for acts of significant corruption. These sanctions shall also apply to foreign persons acting on behalf of such a government official. The sanctions shall not apply to acts related to U.S. intelligence activities. The President may waive application of the sanctions for U.S. national security interests or to prevent undue economic harm to the people of Mexico.

US HJR81

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require that the Supreme Court be composed of not more than nine justices.

US SCR8

A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies have historically provided and continue to provide critical benefits to the people and communities of the United States.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.