US Federal 2023-2024 Regular Session

US Federal House Bill HB137

Introduced
1/9/23  

Caption

Justice for Victims of Kleptocracy Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Justice to publish and regularly update its website with an accounting of property that is forfeited to the United States as a result of foreign government corruption. It also expresses the sense of Congress that recovered assets shall be returned for the benefit of the people harmed by the corruption.

Impact

If enacted, HB 137 would amend Chapter 46 of Title 18 of the United States Code to formalize the requirement for the Department of Justice to regularly update its accounting of forfeited foreign assets. This law is likely to affect how the U.S. manages and reports on assets seized in corruption cases, thereby reassuring both domestic and international stakeholders that the government is adept at addressing integrity and justice concerning overseas corruption. The legislation reflects a broader commitment to international accountability by ensuring that reparations are documented and, if feasible, returned to the rightful citizens harmed by the corruption.

Summary

House Bill 137, known as the Justice for Victims of Kleptocracy Act of 2023, mandates that the Attorney General provides a public accounting of property forfeited to the United States due to foreign government corruption. The bill stipulates that this accounting should detail the assets recovered in a specific format, including a heading indicating the source and the total amount recovered for the benefit of the affected foreign governments. This legislative move aims to enhance transparency and hold accountable those responsible for corruption in foreign states.

Contention

Notably, the bill emphasizes the necessity for rigorous oversight and transparency in the administration of recovered assets. It expresses the sense of Congress that these assets should be directed towards the benefit of the people impacted by corruption, provided that there are safeguards for effective use and monitoring. While this aspect has the potential to garner bipartisan support in principle, the implementation details and the resource allocation for enforcement may be the subjects of future debates, particularly concerning the complexities of international law and asset recovery processes.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB155

Citizen Legislature Anti-Corruption Reform of Congress Act or the CLEAN Congress Act This bill (1) requires bills, orders, resolutions, or votes submitted by Congress to the President to include only one subject that is clearly and descriptively expressed in the measure's title; and (2) makes ineffective any provision of law that excludes its application to a Member of Congress or to an employee in a Member's office.

US HB157

Citizen Legislature Anti-Corruption Reform of Congress Act or the CLEAN Congress Act This bill (1) requires bills, orders, resolutions, or votes submitted by Congress to the President to include only one subject that is clearly and descriptively expressed in the measure's title; and (2) makes ineffective any provision of law that excludes its application to a Member of Congress or to an employee in a Member's office.

US SR325

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the Department of Justice should release appropriate, non-sensitive materials related to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein to restore public trust, affirm institutional accountability, and prevent the politicization of justice.

US HB1353

Justice for Murder Victims Act This bill allows a prosecution to be instituted for any federal homicide offense without regard to the time that elapsed between the act or omission that caused the death of the victim and the death of the victim.

US HB412

This bill allows the Bay Mills Indian Community of Michigan to transfer, lease, encumber, or otherwise convey its real property that is not held in trust by the United States. The United States shall not be held liable for any loss resulting from a transfer of real property by the tribe.

US HJR1

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require that the Supreme Court of the United States be composed of nine justices.

US SJR502

Applying to the United States Congress under Article V of the United States Constitution to call for a convention proposing an amendment to the constitution fixing the number of justices of the United States Supreme Court at one chief justice and eight associate justices.

US HJR8

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require that the Supreme Court of the United States be composed of nine justices.

US SR68

This resolution states it is the sense of the Senate that the United States will not deploy U.S. Armed Forces, risk U.S. lives, or use U.S. funds to take over Gaza.  

US HR1185

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Department of Justice must comply with the Domestic Emoluments Clause of the Constitution by refusing to administratively settle the billions of dollars in legal claims filed against the United States by President Donald Trump.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.