December 9 is International Anti-Corruption Day and Congress is close to passing the most important anti-corruption legislation since the Dodd-Frank Act. On December 7, the U.S. Senate voted unanimously, 100-0, to pass the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Whistleblower Improvement Act. The bill extends Dodd-Frank style whistleblower rights to individuals reporting money laundering and sanctions violations.
This bill is essential in holding Russian oligarchs accountable. By incentivizing whistleblowers, the bill will allow the U.S. to crack down on the money laundering and sanctions-busting schemes of Russian oligarchs. It is these illicit financial streams which are helping fund Putin’s war machine.
Currently, whistleblowers reporting sanctions violations are not protected under any U.S. whistleblower laws and money-laundering whistleblowers are not afforded the same rights as corporate whistleblowers. The AML Whistleblower Improvement Act addresses these current legislative shortcomings.
The House of Representatives is prepared to pass the bill. But one roadblock remains. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, needs to support a vote on the bill in the House.
The National Whistleblower Center has issued an action alert calling on whistleblower supporters to contact Representative DeLauro and urge her to support the AML Whistleblower Improvement Act.
Representative DeLauro’s office can be reached at (202) 225-3661 and the House Committee on Appropriations at (202) 225-2771.
Please take action now!!!