Van Hollen Joins Warren, Whitehouse, Kim, Durbin, Shaheen, Colleagues in Introducing Legislation to Reinforce Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Countering Trump’s Narrowed[...]

Today, U.S. Senator Chirs Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee; Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Co-Chair of the Caucus on International Narcotics Control; Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the National Security and International Trade and Finance Subcommittee; Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee; and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led their colleagues in introducing The FCPA Reinforcement Act to strengthen enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) of 1977. Congress passed the FCPA unanimously in response to revelations of widespread bribery of foreign officials by U.S. companies, recognizing that such corruption imposes enormous costs both at home and abroad.

The Trump Administration has narrowed FCPA enforcement, ignoring hard-won lessons that drove Congress to pass it in the first place: bribery of foreign officials by U.S. corporations "creates severe foreign policy problems." President Trump instead argued in an executive order that American companies cannot gain "strategic business advantages" without relaxed anti-bribery enforcement. In June 2025, the Department of Justice responded with new guidelines that narrowed FCPA enforcement based on the misconception that bribery only harms U.S. interests when it occurs in certain sectors or circumstances. FCPA enforcement and trials have resumed following the Administration's initial pause last year, but enforcement activity dropped in 2025.

Some experts have called the Administration's approach an attempt to "maim, if not kill outright, enforcement against U.S. companies," while others have highlighted uncertainty and a "perception of reduced FCPA enforcement." To address that perception and signal that bribery could well be prosecuted later even if it is presently outside of DOJ's narrowed focus, the FCPA Reinforcement Act would extend from five to 10 years the statute of limitations for criminal violations of the three anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA. If not renewed, this extended statute of limitations would sunset eight years after passage, having provided two future administrations with additional opportunity to conduct expeditious investigations and prosecutions for offenses committed during the present term.

The FCPA Reinforcement Act is also co-sponsored by Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.).

"It should be no surprise that the most corrupt President in our country's history is turning a blind eye to corporate bribery. Congress cannot sit idly by and allow these illegal practices to go unanswered. We need to stand up for what's right and our legislation makes it clear that nothing short of full accountability for bad actors who attempt to undermine our national security and the fairness of our markets is acceptable," said Senator Van Hollen.

"Our bill sends a clear message: despite President Trump's disregard for countering a range of financial crimes and his disdain for the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, effective enforcement of that landmark law-a shield for U.S. companies that compete the right way-is here to stay. This legislation encourages continued private sector vigilance, signaling enduring accountability for those who undermine our foreign policy, fair markets, and honest businesses by paying bribes," said Ranking Member Warren.

"Greedy corporations exchanging bribes for favors from corrupt foreign kleptocrats shouldn't be allowed to count on a five-year statute of limitations as a get-out-of-jail-free card," said Senator Whitehouse. "The FCPA Reinforcement Act would send a clear message that a temporary dip in enforcement doesn't mean it's open season for bribery."

"Donald Trump thrives on corruption. It's no surprise he's fine opening the door to more of it. As we continue to see how corruption erodes trust and threatens stability, from our financial sectors to our nation's security, we need this legislation to help mitigate unethical practices and safeguard against financial crimes that ultimately hurt American consumers," said Ranking Member Kim.

"The President has continued to make troubling, rash statements about relaxing enforcement of our nation's anti-bribery laws. Bribery and corruption hurt law-abiding American businesses and our foreign policy," said Ranking Member Durbin. "I'm joining Senator Warren to introduce the FCPA Reinforcement Act to ensure that this Department of Justice's shortsighted failure to enforce the law does not allow corrupt companies to evade accountability."

"The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act has served as a critical part of America's national security for nearly fifty years by bolstering America's diplomatic and economic credibility around the world," said Ranking Member Shaheen. "When the Trump Administration weakens enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, it damages America's standing abroad and diminishes the 'better deal' America can offer compared to adversaries like China. This legislation makes clear that the United States will continue to stand for transparency, fair competition and the rule of law. Strengthening enforcement sends an signal to our allies and partners that American leadership against corruption remains strong."

"It's no surprise that the most corrupt administration in American history isn't enforcing our corporate anti-corruption laws," said Senator Coons. "Foreign governments should not be able to force American companies to pay bribes to do business, hurting the global economy and free market. This bill strengthens the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act to protect companies from pressure at home and abroad so American businesses can focus on innovating and driving global economic growth, not paying bribes to foreign governments," said Senator Coons.

"President Trump is on a mission to erode the rule of law. His attack on federal bribery laws opens the door for American companies to engage in corrupt practices outside our borders," said Senator Welch. "We're pushing back on the President's pro-corruption agenda to hold corporate actors accountable at home and abroad."

"The FCPA has a long, successful history of combatting bribery and other deceitful business tactics while reinforcing global anti-corruption norms and practices. The Trump Administration has hamstrung enforcement of FCPA, a shortsighted decision which harms American national security and American businesses who play by the rules. This legislation extends the statute of limitations for criminal violations of the FCPA, allowing future administrations to prosecute violations that the Trump Administration is allowing and promoting ethical business practices at home and abroad. This law sends a very simple signal: violations of the law can and will be prosecuted, even if Donald Trump's Department of Justice indicates otherwise," said Senator Blumenthal.

"The United States should reward companies who follow the law-not those who break it by engaging in bribery and other financial crimes," said Senator King."The FCPA Reinforcement Act is an essential step to ensure that all companies in the United States are upheld to the same anti-bribery, ethical standards, regardless of the administration in power because strong anti-corruption laws keep markets fair and hold businesses accountable."

"While Americans are struggling to feed their families, Trump is relaxing anti-bribery enforcement abroad to once again line the pockets of his billionaire friends," Senator Wyden said. "Congress passed the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act back in the day to not only tamp down on foreign corruption but also create a level playing field for American companies that follow the law. I am calling on my colleagues to pass this bill to stop Donald Trump from letting shady companies make crooked deals at the expense of the American people."

"It should be plain and simple, U.S. companies should not be allowed to bribe foreign governments to obtain or retain business. I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bill to strengthen enforcement of the law and make clear that foreign bribery committed today can and will be prosecuted by future administrations," said Senator Schiff.

"With the most corrupt President in our nation's history currently occupying the White House, it's as urgent as ever for Congress to make sure our anti-bribery laws are being enforced," said Senator Duckworth. "No one is above the law. Despite the Trump Administration's continued and expanding efforts to ignore that, our commonsense legislation would help ensure this landmark anti-corruption law continues working as intended, fending off backroom bribery between American companies and foreign officials."

"Bribing foreign officials to secure business harms American anti-corruption efforts around the globe," said Senator Merkley. "As the Trump Administration continues to promote pay-to-play policies, we need to double down on tackling public corruption, not weaken our tools to combat it."

The Administration's guidelines, coupled with its broader permissive messaging and conduct regarding financial crimes, are counterproductive both for national security and for America's private sector. For example, the Administration's changes expose U.S. businesses operating overseas to new demands for bribes: until recently, they could point to broad FCPA enforcement if foreign actors tried to strong-arm them into making corrupt payments.