The U.S. House has passed a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Rep. Josh Riley of New York's 19th Congressional District that would create a dedicated Justice Department structure to investigate and prosecute crimes involving international trade.
The Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act, H.R. 1869, targets conduct such as tariff and duty evasion, smuggling, trade-based money laundering and violations of import and export restrictions. The measure still requires Senate approval before it could reach the president.
Riley said the legislation is intended to protect American workers and manufacturers from companies that evade U.S. trade laws. His office singled out companies based in China and said fraud, transshipment and other practices have undermined domestic industry.
The Endicott native tied his support for the bill to job losses he saw while growing up in the Southern Tier. Riley said communities like his suffered when jobs moved overseas and argued that violations involving dumping, fraud and duty evasion should face stronger enforcement.
A new Justice Department trade-crimes unit
The bill would require the Justice Department's Criminal Division to establish a task force, named program or similar structure within 120 days after funding becomes available. A supervisory criminal trial attorney chosen by the assistant attorney general for the Criminal Division, or another attorney general designee, would coordinate the work.
The attorney general would be directed to create positions for trial attorneys and support staff who could lead cases that affect more than one federal judicial district. The department would also have to use experienced, technically qualified prosecutors and improve coordination with law enforcement, industry representatives and the public.
The measure defines trade-related crimes broadly. It covers criminal activity used to evade duties, tariffs, import and export fees or restrictions under major federal trade laws, as well as trade-based money laundering and smuggling.
The unit's work could include health, safety, financial and economic offenses involving false statements, mail and wire fraud, conspiracy, forced labor, money laundering, counterfeit goods, toxic substances and violations of the federal food and drug law. National security laws governing arms exports, emergency economic powers, export controls and trading with an enemy would remain outside the bill's definition.
The proposal would also direct the Justice Department to increase trade-crime investigations and prosecutions, take part in nationally coordinated investigations when the attorney general determines they are needed, and ensure that federal components handling trade enforcement consult regularly.
Training, reporting and funding
The task force would participate in training with Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other federal agencies. It could provide technical assistance and help develop multijurisdictional partnerships with federal agencies and agencies in U.S. trading-partner countries.
Criminal Division litigation would not block other criminal cases or civil enforcement. The bill says the department's Criminal Division, Civil Division and other components could pursue parallel or additional action when appropriate.
H.R. 1869 would authorize $20 million for fiscal year 2026, with at least 80% reserved for the Criminal Division's trade-crime prosecutions. That funding could cover salaries, training, multiagency partnerships and enforcement actions, while the remaining money could support other Justice Department prosecutions and civil cases. Any appropriated money would remain available until spent.
The attorney general, working with the homeland security secretary, would have to submit the first report to Congress within one year after enactment and file annual reports by Feb. 1 thereafter. Those reports would include statistics on publicly charged trade crimes and indictments, how the money was used and an estimate of additional funding needed.
Riley's office said the legislation is backed by manufacturing, steel, textile, medical manufacturing, shrimp processing and human-rights organizations. The coalition includes the American Iron and Steel Institute, Alliance for American Manufacturing, National Council of Textile Organizations and Campaign for Uyghurs, among others.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.