By Bill W. Cooper
The United States Congress has taken a significant step forward by passing a new anti-corruption legislation, pending the signature of President Joseph R. Biden.
The Foreign Extortion Prevention Act (FEPA) passed the U.S. Congress marks a major legislative victory in the fight against global corruption, as the groundbreaking law, now a part of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), is set to revolutionize the U.S.’ approach to prosecuting corrupt foreign leaders.
Furthermore, the milestone piece of legislation aims to tackle the pervasive issue of corruption within international borders, holding foreign leaders accountable for corrupt practices.
With an extensive focus on enhancing transparency and accountability, the law equips the government with powerful tools to wage war against the illicit activities that destabilize economies and undermine trust in public institutions.
By increasing regulatory measures, tightening financial controls, and fostering international cooperation, the U.S. has positioned itself as a global leader in the fight against foreign corruption.
This decisive action sends a clear message that the government is committed to upholding ethical standards, fostering fair economies, and bolstering global trust and cooperation.
FEPA criminalizes any act of bribery by foreign officials, including government employees or their immediate family and associates, targeting Americans, American companies, or anyone on U.S. soil, in exchange for business favors.
The latest legislation by the U.S. Congress comes as a response to widespread international corruption, making it the most significant of its kind in the past 50 years.
Crafted with the significant input of Transparency International U.S. (TI US), FEPA also enjoys the backing of a diverse coalition of supporters, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) Action, and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW).
This bipartisan effort underscores a commitment from the Biden Administration to address the “demand side” of foreign bribery.
The Advocacy Director for TI US, Scott Greytak, highlighted the importance of FEPA, saying, “Today marks a pivotal moment in the United States’ role in global justice. FEPA is a landmark, bipartisan law with the potential to uproot foreign corruption at its core. It’s the most expansive foreign bribery law we’ve seen in nearly half a century.”
According to Transparency International’s annual Corruption Perceptions Index, people in over 120 countries face severe corruption, often under kleptocratic rule, as the FEPA seeks to change this by empowering the U.S. Government to take legal action against foreign officials soliciting or accepting bribes.
Previously, U.S. law focused solely on penalizing Americans or American companies involved in bribing foreign officials, leaving a significant gap in justice, but the FEPA now aims to rectify this by imposing consequences on corrupt foreign officials, ensuring a more equitable approach to international business practices.
Meanwhile, FEPA passage represents a significant step forward in international anti-corruption efforts, and is a testament to the dedicated leadership of Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Rep. Joe Wilson, Sen. Thom Tillis, the Helsinki Commission, and their respective staff.
