Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1869
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-03: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 0.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-26T20:01:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act of 2025 aims to bolster the Department of Justice's (DOJ) ability to investigate and prosecute crimes related to international trade, such as evading import/export duties, tariffs, and restrictions. It focuses on protecting U.S. industries and workers from illegal activities like smuggling and trade-based money laundering, without addressing national security issues.
Key Provisions
- Definition of Trade-Related Crimes: These include violations involving evasion of duties, tariffs, or fees under key laws like the Tariff Act of 1930, Trade Expansion Act of 1962, Trade Act of 1974, and Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. It also covers broader crimes tied to U.S. imports/exports, such as smuggling and money laundering through trade schemes.
- Establishment of a Dedicated Structure: Within 120 days of funding availability, DOJ's Criminal Division must create a task force, program, or similar unit to handle these crimes, led by a senior prosecutor. The Attorney General must:
- Hire new criminal trial attorneys and support staff for multi-district cases.
- Assign experienced prosecutors with technical expertise.
- Foster collaboration with law enforcement, businesses, and the public.
- Duties and Functions:
- Boost DOJ's capacity to investigate and prosecute trade crimes, targeting specific laws on fraud (e.g., mail/wire fraud under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341, 1343), smuggling (18 U.S.C. § 545), false statements (18 U.S.C. § 1001), money laundering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1956, 1957), and health/safety violations (e.g., under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act).
- Provide training and technical support to agencies like Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
- Build partnerships with other U.S. agencies and international trading partners for shared knowledge, personnel, and tools.
- Lead or join multi-agency investigations when needed and ensure DOJ components coordinate on enforcement.
- Allow ongoing civil or other criminal actions alongside DOJ prosecutions.
- Reporting Requirements: The Attorney General, with input from the Secretary of Homeland Security, must submit an annual report to key congressional committees (e.g., House Judiciary, Senate Finance). Reports, starting one year after enactment and due by February 1 annually, will cover:
- Statistics on charged cases and indictments.
- How funds were spent (e.g., on staff and operations).
- Estimates of future funding needs.
- Funding Authorization: $20 million is authorized for fiscal year 2026, with at least 80% allocated to the Criminal Division for prosecutions, hiring/training, partnerships, and enforcement. Remaining funds support other DOJ components for criminal or civil actions. Funds remain available until spent.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new, dedicated organizational structure within DOJ's Criminal Division for trade-related crimes, which previously lacked such focused coordination and resources. It mandates specific hiring, training, and inter-agency/international partnerships not explicitly required before. It also excludes national security laws (e.g., Arms Export Control Act) from this focus, clarifying boundaries. The annual reporting and $20 million funding authorization provide new oversight and financial support, expanding beyond ad-hoc enforcement under existing statutes like those in Title 18 of the U.S. Code.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Enhances DOJ's Criminal Division with specialized staff and funding, improving coordination with HSI, CBP, and other federal entities. This could lead to more efficient multi-district investigations and international collaborations, reducing silos in trade enforcement.
- On Citizens and Economy: Strengthens protections for U.S. workers and industries by increasing prosecutions of illegal imports/exports that undercut fair competition, potentially reducing economic losses from smuggling or fraud. Consumers may benefit from safer products via better enforcement of health/safety laws.
- On International Relations: Promotes partnerships with U.S. trading partners, sharing expertise and tools, which could improve global trade compliance but might strain relations if aggressive enforcement targets foreign entities.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Government Entities: DOJ (especially Criminal Division), Department of Homeland Security (HSI and CBP), and congressional committees overseeing judiciary, finance, and trade.
- Industry and Labor: U.S. businesses, manufacturers, and workers in import/export sectors, who gain from reduced illegal competition.
- Law Enforcement and Prosecutors: Federal attorneys and investigators, who receive new resources and training.
- International Partners: Foreign governments and agencies involved in U.S. trade, through collaborative efforts.
- Public and Taxpayers: Indirectly affected via funded enforcement and annual transparency reports.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces existing criminal statutes (e.g., conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. § 371) without altering penalties, but emphasizes prosecutions, potentially increasing case volumes. It preserves flexibility for civil remedies, avoiding overlap conflicts.
- Constitutional: No direct challenges; aligns with Congress's commerce clause authority over trade and DOJ's prosecutorial role under Article II. The funding authorization respects appropriations processes.
- Political: Bipartisan support (evident from cosponsors) signals consensus on trade protectionism. Annual reports enhance congressional oversight, promoting accountability. The $20 million commitment reflects fiscal prioritization of economic security, though future funding estimates could influence budget debates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (44)
Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1], Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4], Rep. LaHood, Darin [R-IL-16], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Kiley, Kevin [R-CA-3], Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3], Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-28], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Timmons, William R. [R-SC-4], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Conaway, Herbert C. [D-NJ-3], Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-03: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 0.
- 2026-06-03: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-03-05: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-03-05: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-05: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-05 — PDF (8 pages)