,,iv #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,,res4 #hef ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,february #ab1 #bjbj,ms4 ,speier 7for herself and ,mr4 ,mc,govern7 submitted the following resolution2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs ,,resolution ,opposing kleptocracy around the world and supporting efforts to develop an effective1 independent ,international ,anti-,corruption ,court4 ,whereas kleptocracy involves a country's leaders at the highest levels illegally using public power for private gain1 including by bribery1 nepotism1 fraud1 or embezzlement2 ,whereas the corrupt actions of leaders may be facilitated and enabled by professionals who provide those leaders with money management1 legal public relations1 and other services2 ,whereas kleptocracy has deprived citizens of countries across the world of billions of dollars2 ,whereas an estimated #e percent of the world's gross domestic product 7,,gdp7 is lost to corruption2 ,whereas research by the ,international ,monetary ,fund has found that corruption is responsible for #a1jjj1jjj1jjj1jjj in lost tax revenues2 ,whereas kleptocracy fosters an environment of criminality in a country1 as leaders make corrupt use of or undermine institutions to allow them to steal1 launder1 hide1 and store wealth1 rather than effectively govern their countries2 ,whereas an environment of criminality creates incentives for human rights abuses1 including restrictions on the freedom of the press1 as leaders stigmatize and silence those who would shed light on their activities2 ,whereas kleptocracy also undermines human rights by stealing funds that could otherwise be invested in health1 education1 safe drinking water1 and the defense and promotion of other rights2 ,whereas the amassing of illicit wealth in the hands of a few is detrimental to democratic processes and the rule of law2 ,whereas the ,world ,bank has found corruption disproportionately harms the poor by impeding access to social services and the investment necessary for jobs and economic growth2 ,whereas grand corruption fuels the global migration crisis by depriving people of opportunities and livelihoods and generating criminal violence1 thus pushing thousands around the world to leave their kleptocratic home countries and threatening international peace and security2 ,whereas kleptocracy is a global problem requiring a coordinated international response2 ,whereas the ,united ,states has long led the fight against kleptocracy domestically and internationally2 ,whereas the ,foreign ,corrupt ,practices ,act of #aigg allows the ,united ,states to prosecute businesses that engage in corrupt behavior and has served as a model for the legislation of other countries concerned with good governance and best practices2 ,whereas ,united ,states actions under the ,foreign ,corrupt ,practices ,act of #aigg have led to the seizure of millions of dollars in assets from corrupt foreign governments2 ,whereas the ,united ,states has used existing criminal money laundering1 mail and wire fraud1 and other authorities to investigate and prosecute kleptocrats for bribery2 ,whereas democratic countries are considering the expansion of foreign bribery laws to address the demand side of bribery2 ,whereas the ,united ,states is a state party to the ,inter-,american ,convention ,against ,corruption1 the ,united ,nations ,convention ,against ,corruption1 and the ,organisation for ,economic ,co-operation and ,development's ,convention on ,combating ,bribery of ,foreign ,public ,officials in ,international ,business ,transactions2 ,whereas existing international conventions facilitate interstate cooperation in the fight against many forms of corruption1 but are not sufficient to eliminate the impunity from which kleptocrats in many countries benefit2 ,whereas judicial systems in kleptocracies often fail because they have been captured or weakened by rulers seeking to protect their ill-gotten gains2 ,whereas an ,international ,anti-,corruption ,court 7,,iacc7 shows great promise for combating kleptocracy and corruption by reducing impunity for acts of grand corruption around the world2 ,whereas an ,,iacc would complement efforts to enforce anti-kleptocracy laws in countries where domestic judicial systems have failed2 ,whereas an ,,iacc could offer an alternative avenue for citizens of many countries to pursue the return of stolen money1 property1 and other assets2 ,whereas an ,,iacc would be structured to fairly and independently investigate and prosecute kleptocracy as defined by law2 ,whereas an ,,iacc would be staffed with expert investigators and internationally recognized judges with the expertise and experience needed to effectively pursue kleptocracy cases2 ,whereas an ,,iacc would safeguard the rights of the accused in keeping with internationally recognized due process rights2 ,whereas an ,,iacc would even the playing field for ,united ,states businesses by strengthening the enforcement of antikleptocracy laws everywhere in the world2 ,whereas entering into international treaties is an exercise of national sovereignty2 ,whereas international judicial mechanisms already operate only when domestic mechanisms are unwilling or unable2 and ,whereas ,,iacc rulings would be enforced through the exercise of the powers of its member states3 ,now1 therefore1 be it ,that the ,house of ,representatives-- 7#a7 opposes kleptocracy and grand corruption and stands in solidarity with its victims around the world2 7#b7 applauds the strong ,united ,states record in seeking to counter kleptocracy around the world2 7#c7 reiterates the deep commitment of the ,united ,states to supporting global efforts to root out corruption and its corrosive economic1 political1 and social effects by fostering accountability and promoting good governance2 and 7#d7 supports ,united ,states efforts to engage in the development of an effective1 independent ,international ,anti-,corruption ,court 7,,iacc74