The House Judiciary Committee has passed the bipartisan Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act with unanimous support. The bill, introduced by Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI), Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-IA), and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), aims to combat trade crimes such as fraud, duty evasion, and transshipment often committed by Chinese companies. The legislation directs the Department of Justice to establish a new structure dedicated to prosecuting international trade crimes.
Chairman Moolenaar expressed gratitude towards Chairman Jordan and Ranking Member Nadler for their role in passing the act. He stated, "This excellent bipartisan bill will protect U.S. companies and workers by strengthening our country’s efforts to prosecute trade crimes, including fraud, duty evasion, and shipping from other countries to avoid our laws."
Congresswoman Hinson highlighted the importance of the bill for American workers, particularly in rural manufacturing towns affected by illicit trade practices. She said, "Communist China has blatantly violated U.S. trade laws and ripped off American workers without consequences for too long... This bipartisan bill will ensure we finally crack down on Communist China’s illicit trade practices so that we can reshore American manufacturing."
Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi emphasized the need for holding perpetrators accountable for illegal activities that harm American companies, workers, and consumers. He noted, "The bipartisan passage of our bill today through the Judiciary Committee is a critical step toward holding perpetrators criminally liable for these illegal activities."
The Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act proposes several measures:
- Establishes a new task force within the DOJ's Criminal Division to investigate and prosecute trade-related crimes.
- Enhances responses to trade-related offenses through training and technical assistance.
- Requires annual reports from the Attorney General assessing DOJ's efforts in combating these crimes.
Original co-sponsors include House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), among others.
