Money laundering fuels everything from terror finance and sanctions evasion to human trafficking and corruption. However, experts warn that our anti-money laundering efforts are on the brink of failure, as law enforcement only interdicts less than one-half of one percent of the trillions of dollars laundered each year. We need a new approach to addressing money laundering and the dangerous threats to our safety and security from the crimes funded through illicit finance.
Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee released its draft appropriations bills for fiscal year 2023 that provided just $189 million to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). While it is an increase above FY2022 enacted levels, the Senate figure falls short of the funding approved last week by the House and requested by the President by a sum of $21 million.
This new appropriations budget represents a 31 percent increase in FinCEN’s budget over FY2022 enacted levels and meets the amount requested by the Biden Administration in the President’s discretionary budget request earlier this year.
On June 28th and 29th, the FACT Coalition convened anti-money laundering, illicit finance, environment, and climate policy makers, thought leaders, and activists to discuss ways to counter this growing threat posed by illicit finance and environmental crimes. The convening brought together more than 60 advocates and experts from government, international secretariats, and more than 30 civil society organizations to share lessons learned on the intersection of illicit finance and environmental crimes.
The growing nexus of environmental crimes and illicit finance is demanding action, and environment, conservation and anti-corruption advocates alike are taking note. On June 28th and 29th, FACT hosted a virtual convening of over 60 civil society activists, experts, and policymakers to discuss this policy intersection, identify shared priorities, and discuss joint advocacy strategies.
Today, the House of Representatives passed a six-bill appropriations package (H.R. 8294) for fiscal year 2023 that includes $210.33 million for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
To tackle global corruption, the U.S. must start by cleaning up its own house through the reforms discussed in this blog, as well as by working collaboratively with African nations, civil society actors, and professionals to properly stem the root causes and key loopholes that enable capital flight, illicit financial flows, and corrupt or criminal financial abuses.
