H.R. 5366 is expected to be considered on the House Floor on Wednesday, September 15, 2010, under suspension of the rules, requiring a two-thirds majority vote for passage.  This legislation was introduced by Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) on May 20, 2010. 

H.R. 5366 would require debarment from contracting with the federal government for any individual, partnership, or corporation that violates the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977.

The bill would require that any person found to be in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 to be proposed for debarment from any contract or grant awarded by the federal government within 30 days after a final judgment of such violation.

The head of a federal agency would be authorized to waive this provision for a federal contract or grant, but such a waiver would be required to be reported to Congress by the head of the agency concerned within 30 days of the date of waiver.

A judgment in regard to debarment would become final when all appeals of the judgment have been finally determined, or all time for filing such appeals has expired.

In the early 1970’s, a number of corruption scandals led to the passage of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, a law that prohibits bribery of foreign officials by U.S.—or related companies.

A CBO score for H.R. 5366 estimates that this legislation would have no significant impact on the federal budget.