June 3, 2021

Biden Administration undertakes inter-agency review of anti-bribery programs

On June 3, 2021, President Biden issued a “Memorandum on Establishing the Fight Against Corruption as a Core United States National Security Interest” that directed the National Security Advisor, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy to conduct an interagency review of US anti-corruption and anti-money laundering programs.  The stated goals of the review are to modernize, coordinate, and improve the ability of the government to promote good governance and combat corruption and illicit finance, and to hold corrupt individuals and organizations accountable. According to the presidential memorandum, the review may result in new proposed legislation.

The presidential memorandum mandates inclusion in the review process of representatives from more than a dozen government agencies, including the National Security Agency, the Central Intelligence Agency, the United States Mission to the United Nations, the Departments of Justice, Commerce, Defense, Energy, Homeland Security, State, and Treasury, and the Office of the Vice President.  The review and the submission of a report and recommendations must be completed within 200 days. 

Memorandum