Fraud Accountability and Recovery Act
Summary
The Fraud Accountability and Recovery Act aims to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. It seeks to prohibit the President from providing assistance to countries that fail to extradite individuals convicted of fraud against the United States or fail to assist in recovering fraudulently obtained funds. The bill also includes findings related to the scale of fraud against the US government and expresses the sense of Congress regarding the need to recover stolen funds.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this act would likely lead to increased pressure on foreign governments to cooperate with the United States in fraud cases. It could also result in the withholding of foreign aid from countries that are uncooperative. The President has the ability to waive the limitation if it is contrary to national security.
Potential Benefits
- Could deter individuals from defrauding the U.S. government by limiting safe havens.
- May lead to the recovery of significant amounts of stolen taxpayer money.
- Strengthens program integrity and accountability in federal programs.
- Sends a strong message that the U.S. will pursue those who defraud its programs, even internationally.
- Could improve international cooperation in combating fraud.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could strain diplomatic relations with countries that are unwilling or unable to comply.
- May negatively impact legitimate aid programs if assistance is withheld.
- The waiver provision could be used to circumvent the intent of the law.
- The effectiveness depends on the willingness of the executive branch to enforce the provisions.
- Could be seen as an overreach of U.S. jurisdiction by some countries.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's implied powers to protect government funds and ensure the execution of laws. Congress has the power to legislate on matters related to foreign commerce and to make laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution the powers vested by the Constitution (Article I, Section 8). The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).