Eliminate Chinese Organized Crime Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4723
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-17: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-01T16:04:09Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of S. 4723: Eliminate Chinese Organized Crime Act
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill aims to create a U.S. assistance program that helps law enforcement agencies in Latin America and the Caribbean improve their ability to investigate, disrupt, and prosecute criminal groups linked to China. These groups are described as engaging in activities such as drug trafficking, money laundering, and other illegal operations.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Program Establishment: The bill adds a new section (490A) to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, allowing the Secretary of State to set up the program despite existing restrictions on certain types of aid.
- Types of Assistance: Support can include consultations with U.S. law enforcement, training on financial crimes and asset seizures, technical help like digital forensics, and programs to screen foreign agencies for corruption risks.
- Coordination Requirements: Assistance must involve the Attorney General and, when suitable, the Director of National Intelligence.
- Country Eligibility: Aid targets nations in Latin America and the Caribbean where China-linked criminal groups operate. It may also go to countries that have not met certain international drug control agreements if the Secretary of State determines it serves U.S. national interests, with advance notice to Congress.
- Reporting Obligation: Within one year of enactment, the Director of National Intelligence must submit a report to specified congressional committees detailing assistance provided, known criminal activities by these groups, any Chinese government involvement in the region, and the status of legal assistance requests.
- Definitions: The bill defines key terms, such as "China-linked transnational criminal organization" (an entity involved in cross-border serious crimes that threaten U.S. security or economy) and lists the relevant congressional committees for oversight.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
- This legislation creates a new authority within the Foreign Assistance Act, providing an exception to prior limits on aid (specifically Section 660) for this targeted program.
- It introduces flexibility to provide assistance to countries with past counternarcotics compliance issues, subject to a national interest determination and congressional notification.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The program would involve the Department of State in leading assistance efforts, with input from the Department of Justice and intelligence agencies, potentially increasing interagency coordination on transnational crime.
- On Citizens: Residents in affected Latin American and Caribbean countries might see strengthened local law enforcement responses to organized crime, though the bill does not directly address U.S. citizens.
- On International Relations: It could foster closer law enforcement ties between the U.S. and regional governments while focusing attention on criminal activities connected to China.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. executive branch agencies, including the Department of State, Department of Justice, and intelligence community.
- Law enforcement and government officials in Latin American and Caribbean countries.
- Chinese-linked criminal organizations operating in the region (as the primary targets of the assistance).
- U.S. Congress, due to reporting and notification requirements.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill modifies foreign aid rules to prioritize specific counter-crime efforts, which may expand U.S. involvement in regional security without broad new funding mandates.
- It emphasizes intelligence sharing and vetting processes, raising considerations around data handling and foreign partnerships.
- Politically, the measure highlights concerns over foreign-linked crime in the Western Hemisphere but remains focused on capacity-building rather than direct U.S. enforcement actions abroad.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-17: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 2026-06-09: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 2026-06-09: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Eliminate Chinese Organized Crime Act — issued 2026-06-09 — PDF (7 pages)