Policy

POLICY

CREW and Coalition Call on Congress to Reject Efforts to Amend the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

Corruption, Governance & Legislation, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), Letters, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Open Government

On January 12, 2012, CREW and a borad coalition of good government groups sent a letter to indicate strong opposition to current efforts to amend the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”). The United States has led the global fight against the scourge of corruption – it would be devastating for the Congress to now signal retreat in that fight.

The FCPA provides a strong and effective mechanism to prosecute companies and individuals that make corrupt payments to foreign officials and to combat financial fraud. Congress initially enacted the FCPA to end such practices and to restore public confidence in the integrity of the American business system. Thus, the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA make it unlawful for a U.S. person and certain foreign issuers to make corrupt payments to a foreign official for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, any person. Since the enactment of implementing legislation in 1998, the FCPA also applies to foreign firms and persons who take any act in furtherance of such a corrupt payment while in the U.S.

Click here to read CREW's letter to Congress.