Bribery

House Republicans And U.S. Chamber Team Up To Weaken Anti-Bribery Law (VIDEO)

Ryan J. Reilly | June 14, 2011, 2:22PM

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce thinks a law that prohibits American businesses from paying bribes to foreign government officials is hurting U.S. companies, and Republicans in the House agree. But don't accuse them of being pro-bribery.

"Nobody here is in favor of bribery," said Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) at a Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday examining the 1977 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). But Sensenbrenner and House Republicans made clear they intend to change the law as it currently stands.

Sensenbrenner called the FCPA statute vague and said it was too open to the interpretation of the Justice Department, arguing that the feds could even apply the law to paying for cab rides for their overseas workers if they wanted. But a Justice Department representative pointed out that all the panelists advocating for reform couldn't point out one example of when they believed the feds had overreached by prosecuting over a cup of coffee or taxi ride and touted recent cases involving bribery with a Ferrari, a yacht and a $170,000 payment toward a credit card bill.

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Topics: Bribery, Chamber of Commerce, Corruption, James Sensenbrenner

James Sensenbrenner

To Get Around Ban On Financing Lawmaker Trips, Corporations Turn To Non-Profits

Zachary Roth | December 7, 2009, 10:22AM

The New York Times sheds light on the hot new tactic for lawmakers who want to get around Congressional ethics rules that ban corporate-financed travel. Just use a non-profit group -- which aren't subject to the ban -- as a pass through for corporate money.

That's how it seems to have worked when Republican congressmen James Sensenbrenner and Tom Price traveled to Liechtenstein in February to learn about its banking system -- as well as to visit a ski resort and tour the Prince of Lichtenstein's wine cellar.

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Topics: James Sensenbrenner, Lobbyists, Tom Price