WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 1869 · 119th Congress

Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act of 2026

Passed HouseDrafted by AI, awaiting reviewCrime and Law Enforcement
IntroducedMar 5, 2025
Passed HouseAug 31, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Sep 14, 2026: Received in the Senate. From Iowa: Ashley Hinson sponsors it; Zachary Nunn cosponsors it. It would change 0 sections of existing law and would add 4 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

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H.R. 1869 doesn't change any existing section of law. It would create 4 new provisions of its own. Read from the bill text as passed by the House (Aug 31, 2026).

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 2 Trade-related crimes defined
  • Sec. 3 Establishment of new structure to prosecute international trade crimes
  • Sec. 4 Duties and functions of new trade crimes structure
  • Sec. 5 Annual report to Congress
What the words would change: every change, in place (0)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

    From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

    Bill text used: Engrossed in House (passed the House August 31, 2026; not yet law) · updated Oct 28, 2026

    This breakdown was drafted by AI from the official documents and passed our automatic checks: every quoted word was found in its source, and every number comes from an official record. A person must review it before we mark it reviewed. Tap any small number to see the exact words a sentence rests on.

    At a glance

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    What it would mean for you

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    If you work in manufacturing or run a business that competes with imports

    More prosecutors aimed at import cheating

    • The bill targets people who evade duties and tariffs, which supporters say undercuts American companies and workers.
      2,6in furtherance of the evasion of duties, tariffs, and other import- and export-related fees, import and export restrictions[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 2undercutting American wages and gutting rural manufacturing towns that once thrived with good-paying jobs[6] Congressional Record, House, August 31, 2026 (H5273-H5275) · H5274, Rep. Hinson
    • The team would also work with industry and the public on trade crime cases.
      2promote and ensure effective interaction with law enforcement, industry representatives, and the public in matters relating to trade-related crimes[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 3(b)(3)

    If you buy imported goods

    A focus on fakes and unsafe products

    If you live in Iowa

    Your representatives wrote and backed it

    What this bill does not do

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    • It is not law. The Senate has not voted on it.
      12026-09-14 | Senate | Received in the Senate.[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Actions, September 14, 2026
    • It does not provide money. The team starts only after Congress funds it.
      2,6shall be established within the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice not later than 120 days after the date on which appropriations are made available to carry out this Act[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)If we don't provide funding for this work, the bill we are voting for today has an uncertain future.[6] Congressional Record, House, August 31, 2026 (H5273-H5275) · H5274, Rep. Raskin
    • It does not cover national security export laws, such as the Arms Export Control Act.
      2this list does not include violations of national security-related laws and regulations, including the Arms Export Control Act[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 4(a)(2)
    • It does not stop other parts of the Justice Department from bringing their own cases.
      2Nothing in this Act shall prevent the Criminal Division, Civil Division, and other Department of Justice components from pursuing enforcement action where appropriate.[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 4(b)

    Current law vs. the bill

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    Every place the bill changes existing law. On the left, the law as it stands today, quoted from the U.S. Code. On the right, the bill's words.

    This bill does not change any existing section of law.

    What the bill decides, and what it leaves to others

    Sourced

    Written into the bill

    These take effect exactly as written.

    • The team must start within 120 days after money is provided.
      2shall be established within the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice not later than 120 days after the date on which appropriations are made available to carry out this Act[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)
    • The first report is due within 1 year, then every year.
      2be submitted not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 5(1)

    Left to agencies or states

    The real effect depends on rules someone else writes later.

    • The Justice Department chooses whether it is a task force, a named program or another structure.
      2A task force, named program, or other similar structure to investigate and prosecute trade-related crimes[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)
    • It decides which national cases to join, based on its resources.
      2as permitted by the available resources of the Department of Justice[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 4(a)(5)

    Section by section

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    Read all 5 sections in plain words
    Sec. 1 Short title
    Names the bill the Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act of 2026.
    2International Trade Crimes Act of 2026[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 1
    Sec. 2 What counts as a trade crime
    Crimes tied to evading duties, tariffs and trade limits, plus trade-based money laundering and smuggling.
    2in furtherance of the evasion of duties, tariffs, and other import- and export-related fees, import and export restrictions[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 2trade-based money laundering, and smuggling[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 2
    Sec. 3 New trade crimes team
    Sets up a task force or similar unit in the Justice Department's Criminal Division, within 120 days after funding.
    2A task force, named program, or other similar structure to investigate and prosecute trade-related crimes[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)shall be established within the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice not later than 120 days after the date on which appropriations are made available to carry out this Act[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)
     Adds new prosecutor and support jobs, and directs work with police, industry and the public.
    2create within the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice new positions for criminal trial attorneys and associated support personnel[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 3(b)(1)promote and ensure effective interaction with law enforcement, industry representatives, and the public in matters relating to trade-related crimes[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 3(b)(3)
    Sec. 4 Duties
    The team would bring more trade crime cases under a list of laws, from smuggling to forced labor and counterfeiting.
    2Increase the number of trade-related crimes being investigated and prosecuted[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 4(a)(2)section 545 of title 18, United States Code;[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 4(a)(2)(G)section 1589 of title 18, United States Code;[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 4(a)(2)(N)section 2320 of title 18, United States Code; and[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 4(a)(2)(Q)
     It would train with customs and homeland security agents and help trading partners.
    2Participate in basic and advanced training events with Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and other Federal agencies[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 4(a)(3)agencies of countries that are trading partners of the United States[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 4(a)(4)
     National security export laws are left out of the list.
    2this list does not include violations of national security-related laws and regulations, including the Arms Export Control Act[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 4(a)(2)
    Sec. 5 Yearly report
    Starting within 1 year, the Attorney General would report case numbers, spending and any extra money needed.
    2be submitted not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 5(1)include annual statistics on the volume of publicly charged trade-related crimes and indictments[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 5(2)provide an estimate of any additional funding needed to combat trade-related crimes[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 5(4)

    What changed between versions

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    2 steps, from first draft to final text

    From the House bill as introduced to the committee's version (House)

    • The Judiciary Committee removed a $20,000,000 funding authorization for 2026.
      2,4There are authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney General $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to carry out this Act.[4] Introduced in House (March 5, 2025) · Sec. 6(a)shall be established within the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice not later than 120 days after the date on which appropriations are made available to carry out this Act[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)
    • It also changed the year in the name from 2025 to 2026.
      2,4International Trade Crimes Act of 2025[4] Introduced in House (March 5, 2025) · Sec. 1International Trade Crimes Act of 2026[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 1

    From the committee's version (House) to the House-passed text

    No changes to the wording.

    Cost

    Sourced
    • No Congressional Budget Office estimate was ready when the committee filed its report.
      5a cost estimate provided by the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was not made available to the Committee in time for the filing of this report[5] H. Rept. 119-782 · Congressional Budget Office cost estimate
    • The bill sets no dollar amount; the team starts after Congress provides money for it.
      2,4shall be established within the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice not later than 120 days after the date on which appropriations are made available to carry out this Act[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)There are authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney General $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to carry out this Act.[4] Introduced in House (March 5, 2025) · Sec. 6(a)

    Analysis

    Analysis

    Every bill gets the same five questions. Arguments are attributed to the people who made them, and each side gets about the same space.

    Path to law

    Balance of power

    Coalitions

    Precedent

    • The Justice Department already set up a Trade Fraud Task Force last year; this bill would write it into law.
      6last year, the Trump administration established the Trade Fraud Task Force at the Department of Justice to criminally prosecute these crimes[6] Congressional Record, House, August 31, 2026 (H5273-H5275) · H5275, Rep. KrishnamoorthiOur bipartisan bill codifies the establishment of this task force and creates an oversight mechanism through annual reporting requirements to Congress.[6] Congressional Record, House, August 31, 2026 (H5273-H5275) · H5275, Rep. Krishnamoorthi

    The strongest case on each side

    For

    Against

    • No one opposed it. Raskin warned that without new money the bill's future is uncertain and its staff will never be hired.
      6If we don't provide funding for this work, the bill we are voting for today has an uncertain future.[6] Congressional Record, House, August 31, 2026 (H5273-H5275) · H5274, Rep. RaskinThe myriad investigators, prosecutors, and support staff envisioned for the task force will never be hired.[6] Congressional Record, House, August 31, 2026 (H5273-H5275) · H5274, Rep. Raskin
      Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), who supported the bill
    • The committee dropped the bill's own funding, so the team depends on later spending bills.
      2,4There are authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney General $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to carry out this Act.[4] Introduced in House (March 5, 2025) · Sec. 6(a)shall be established within the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice not later than 120 days after the date on which appropriations are made available to carry out this Act[2] Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)
      Bill text and committee changes; a limit, not an argument anyone made

    Did this make sense?

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    Three quick questions. Your answers are anonymous and tell us which breakdowns need clearer writing.

    1. What would the bill create?
    2. When would the team start?
    3. Which laws are left out of its list?

    How this was checked

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    2 checks
    • Automatic: every quote matched its source; every number matched an official record.
    • H. Rept. 119-782 (Judiciary): Committee summary matches the House-passed text. No CBO estimate was available when the report was filed.

    Spot an error? See our corrections log and how to report one

    Sources

    Sourced
    All 6 sources
    1. Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Official bill record · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
    2. Engrossed in House (August 31, 2026) · Bill text · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
    3. Reported in House (August 27, 2026) · Bill text · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
    4. Introduced in House (March 5, 2025) · Bill text · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
    5. H. Rept. 119-782 · Committee report · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
    6. Congressional Record, House, August 31, 2026 (H5273-H5275) · Congressional Record · retrieved Oct 28, 2026

    Official summary

    Sourced

    Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act of 2025

    This bill requires the Department of Justice to establish a task force, program, or other similar structure within its Criminal Division to investigate and prosecute trade-related crimes.

    Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Mar 5, 2025).

    What has happened

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    1. Aug 31, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.Library of Congress
    2. Aug 27, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-782.Library of Congress
    3. Mar 5, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

    Show all 15 recorded actions

    Cosponsors

    From Iowa

    Everyone else (43)

    • Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. D-GA-2
    • Suzanne Bonamici D-OR-1
    • Nikki Budzinski D-IL-13
    • André Carson D-IN-7
    • Kathy Castor D-FL-14
    • Juan Ciscomani R-AZ-6
    • Ben Cline R-VA-6
    • Herbert C. Conaway, Jr. D-NJ-3
    • J. Luis Correa D-CA-46
    • Donald G. Davis D-NC-1
    • Rosa L. DeLauro D-CT-3
    • Christopher R. Deluzio D-PA-17
    Show 31 more cosponsors
    • Debbie Dingell D-MI-6
    • Brad Finstad R-MN-1
    • Carlos A. Gimenez R-FL-28
    • Josh Gottheimer D-NJ-5
    • Clay Higgins R-LA-3
    • Glenn Ivey D-MD-4
    • Mike Kelly R-PA-16
    • Ro Khanna D-CA-17
    • Kevin Kiley I-CA-3
    • Raja Krishnamoorthi D-IL-8
    • Darin LaHood R-IL-16
    • Susie Lee D-NV-3
    • Ted Lieu D-CA-36
    • John R. Moolenaar R-MI-2
    • Nathaniel Moran R-TX-1
    • Seth Moulton D-MA-6
    • Frank J. Mrvan D-IN-1
    • Troy E. Nehls R-TX-22
    • Dan Newhouse R-WA-4
    • Donald Norcross D-NJ-1
    • Josh Riley D-NY-19
    • Deborah K. Ross D-NC-2
    • Michael A. Rulli R-OH-6
    • Greg Stanton D-AZ-4
    • Elise M. Stefanik R-NY-21
    • Haley M. Stevens D-MI-11
    • William R. Timmons IV R-SC-4
    • Jill N. Tokuda D-HI-2
    • Ritchie Torres D-NY-15
    • Eugene Simon Vindman D-VA-7
    • Robert J. Wittman R-VA-1