Bipartisan Trade Crimes Bill Passes House Unanimously
The federal PAIL Act would expand the U.S. Department of Justice’s ability to investigate and prosecute trade-related crimes. A bill to create a trade crimes unit inside the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) passed the U.S. House of Representatives on […]
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The federal PAIL Act would expand the U.S. Department of Justice’s ability to investigate and prosecute trade-related crimes.
A bill to create a trade crimes unit inside the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday. That’s a major milestone in the journey to turn this legislation into law.
The Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes (PAIL) Act (HR 1869) would establish a dedicated structure within the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division to investigate and prosecute trade-related crimes.
It would effectively strengthen the federal government’s ability to investigate and prosecute customs fraud, duty evasion, illegal transshipment, and other trade crimes that harm U.S. workers and manufacturers. And it passed the House unanimously.
“Whether it’s dumping below-market iron and steel, flooding our markets with illegal vapes or violating the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, this trade fraud task force will send a clear message that these illegal trade practices must end now,” said Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) on the House floor. Krishnamoorthi cosponsored the legislation with Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa); Rep. John Moolenaar, chairman of the House’s Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party; and a number of other lawmakers from both sides of the aisle.
The PAIL Act has been a long time coming. A version of the bill was first introduced in the last Congress and also advanced out of the House. The Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) was supportive of the legislation then and is supportive of the PAIL Act now. After its passage in the House on Monday AAM President Scott Paul said:
The Alliance for American Manufacturing applauds the House’s passage of the bipartisan Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act. Customs fraud, duty evasion, and other trade crimes harm domestic industries, destroy jobs, and put law-abiding manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage. This vote is an important step toward holding trade criminals accountable and ensuring fair competition for American workers and manufacturers.
The legislation now moves to the U.S. Senate. We’ll be watching its progress.
