Global Financial Integrity, Global Witness and eight other organizations released a letter of support today calling on the US Congress to pass anti-corruption legislation as part of future coronavirus response packages. Congress must recognize the urgent risk that greatly needed aid and resources for addressing the pandemic could be diverted and lost to corruption, both in the US and abroad. 

The following four anti-corruption bills would help strengthen and protect the US response to the coronavirus pandemic: the Countering Russian and Other Overseas Kleptocracy (CROOK) Act (H.R. 3843/S. 3026); the Kleptocrat Exposure Act (H.R. 3441); the Foreign Extortion Prevention Act (H.R. 4140); and the Justice for Victims of Kleptocracy Act (H.R. 4361). All four of these initiatives enjoy the support of the bipartisan and bicameral US Helsinki Commission, led by nine Senators, nine Representatives, and three Executive Branch officials, working to promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law around the world.