Senators Coons, Warren, colleagues introduce legislation to strengthen the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, countering President Trump’s narrowed enforcement of landmark[...]

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), co-Chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus and a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), 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. However, the Trump administration has narrowed FCPA enforcement, ignoring hard-won lessons that drove Congress to pass it in the first place: that 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 opportunities to conduct expeditious investigations and prosecutions for offenses committed during the present term.

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.

"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."

"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."

"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."

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

You can read the full bill text here.