Senate resolution allows committee to share evidence with law enforcement

The Senate passed a resolution Thursday evening granting the Senate Homeland Security Committee permission to give law enforcement officials evidence it gathered during an investigation into banks financing terrorists.

Under Senate rules, no evidence under the control or in the possession of the Senate can, by administrative or judicial process, be taken from such control or possession except by permission of the Senate. 

S. Res. 616 gave the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee permission to provide to law enforcement officials, regulatory agencies, and other entities or individuals duly authorized by federal, state or foreign governments records from the subcommittee’s investigation into U.S. banks being used by possible terrorists or their affiliates for money laundering. 

The resolution said sharing the evidence was necessary for the “promotion of justice.”

The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee on Investigations looked into the anti-money laundering and terrorist financing vulnerabilities created when a global bank uses its U.S. affiliate to provide U.S. dollars, U.S. dollar services and access to the U.S. financial system to high-risk affiliates, high -correspondent banks and high-risk clients. Whatever information the committee found could now be shared with law enforcement or other agencies.

The resolution was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.); it passed by unanimous consent.

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