House Passes Bipartisan Trade Enforcement Bill Co-Led by Raja Krishnamoorthi

Washington — The U.S. House of Representatives has unanimously passed bipartisan legislation co-led by Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi that would strengthen federal investigations and prosecutions of international trade crimes, including tariff evasion and forced labor violations.

The Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act, or PAIL Act, would establish a dedicated structure within the Justice Department’s Criminal Division to investigate and prosecute trade-related offenses.

Supporters say the legislation is intended in part to combat practices by companies based in China that allegedly circumvent U.S. trade laws and place American manufacturers and workers at a disadvantage.

“Today’s unanimous House passage of the PAIL Act is an important victory for American workers and manufacturers who have been forced to compete against companies based in the PRC that violate U.S. trade laws,” Krishnamoorthi said.

“Tariff evasion, illegal transshipment, forced-labor violations, and other trade crimes hurt American workers and undermine our industries,” he said. “Our bipartisan bill gives the Justice Department dedicated resources and expertise to investigate and prosecute these crimes and hold repeat offenders accountable.”

Krishnamoorthi urged the Senate to approve the legislation and send it to the president for consideration.

The bill would strengthen coordination and training among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies handling international trade violations. It would also support expanded investigations and prosecutions, including cases involving parallel criminal and civil enforcement actions.

The legislation would require the U.S. attorney general to submit an annual report to Congress detailing the Justice Department’s enforcement efforts against trade crimes.

Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat, co-led the measure with Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson of Iowa, House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party Chairman John Moolenaar, a Michigan Republican, and Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu of California.

“China has spent decades finding ways to undermine American workers and our economy,” Hinson said. “My bill will finally give the DOJ real tools to stop these blatant violations and ensure penalties are meaningfully enforced.”

Moolenaar said the legislation would provide federal prosecutors with additional tools to pursue trade crimes allegedly committed by China-backed companies.

“This bipartisan legislation will arm the Department of Justice with the tools to stop trade crimes often perpetrated by China-backed companies,” he said. “These crimes devastate American manufacturing, and they are a threat to the prosperity of every single American.”

The measure is backed by several organizations representing U.S. workers and manufacturers, including the United Steelworkers, AFL-CIO, American Iron and Steel Institute, Alliance for American Manufacturing, National Council of Textile Organizations and Steel Manufacturers Association. Campaign for Uyghurs has also endorsed the bill.

Krishnamoorthi represents Illinois’ 8th Congressional District and serves on the House Intelligence Committee and the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. He was first elected to Congress in 2016.

The legislation must still pass the Senate before it can be sent to the president for signature. (Source: IANS)