S.Amdt. 3232

The amendment, titled the Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade-Related Crimes Act of 2025, aims to add a new title to bill S. 2296 focused on enforcing laws against international trade-related crimes.

Purpose and Changes

The amendment seeks to change the bill by adding the following:

• New Enforcement Structure: It requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to create a task force, named program, or similar structure within the Criminal Division to investigate and prosecute international trade-related crimes. This includes hiring new criminal trial attorneys and support staff.

• Definition of Crimes: It defines international trade-related crimes as violations of law used to evade duties, tariffs, import/export fees, restrictions, or requirements from specific acts (such as the Tariff Act of 1930 and Trade Act of 1974), as well as smuggling and trade-based money laundering.

• Expanded Duties: The new structure is tasked with increasing the capacity to prosecute specific health, safety, financial, and economic crimes. It also focuses on creating partnerships with other Federal agencies and trading partner countries.

• Accountability: The Attorney General must submit an annual report to specific House and Senate committees detailing indictment statistics, how funds were used, and any additional funding needs.

• Funding: It authorizes $20,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2031, with at least 80 percent dedicated to the Criminal Division for prosecuting trade crimes.