Congressman Cohen Applauds Passage of the America COMPETES Act

Press Release

Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) applauded today's House passage of the America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology, and Economic Strength (COMPETES) Act that will be considered on Friday. The bill contains two amendments he offered with Republican colleagues.

The bill is a strong package intended to repair supply chains, start making more critical products in America, invigorate American scientific and technological leadership, and strengthen global competitiveness.

Today's vote on final passage was 222 to 210.

Congressman Cohen offered two amendments to the bill which passed the House on Thursday evening. One amendment, which combats foreign kleptocrats and which he offered with Congressman and Helsinki Commission Ranking member Joe Wilson (SC-02), contains both the Justice for Victims of Kleptocracy Act and the Foreign Corruption Accountability Act. The first bill mandates a public listing by country of stolen assets recovered in the United States and the second authorizes public visa bans against foreign individuals who demand bribes.

The second amendment, the Foreign Business Agent Act, which he offered with Congressman French Hill (AR-02), requires foreign business entities to assign and register agents with the Department of Commerce for service of process in legal and regulatory proceedings.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"The America COMPETES Act is a comprehensive shot in the arm for our global competitiveness and its impact will be felt across the country. My amendments are commonsense but overdue solutions to problems that hurt our country's ability to compete. Kleptocracy threatens national security and human rights and has an impact on every global challenge we face today. From climate change and COVID to organized crime and human trafficking, kleptocrats either cause or worsen the problem.

"Transparency and the rule of law are essential elements of fair and efficient business operations, but many foreign companies in the United States operate outside our legal system, beyond the jurisdiction of U.S. courts and regulatory agencies. The Foreign Business Agent Act would remedy this legal gray area by requiring foreign business entities to assign and register agents with the Department of Commerce.

"I was proud to work with my Republican colleagues in strengthening this important bill."

See a Section-by-section analysis and factsheets of the COMPETES Act at these links. Endorsements of the bill and its elements from the scientific community and others have been compiled by the Science, Space and Technology Committee here.

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