From left, U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, U.S. Institute of Peace President Nancy Lindborg and U.S. Rep. Jim Himes participating in the USIP Bipartisan Congressional Dialogue. Courtesy photoU.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce (R-NM), chairman of the Terrorism and Illicit Finance Subcommittee, participated April 17 in the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) Bipartisan Congressional Dialogue entitled “Countering Illicit Funding of Terrorism: A Congressional Approach” with his colleague and Subcommittee Member, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT).
“Innovation in financial services revolutionizes and simplifies our lives. However, bad actors around the globe exploit the global financial system and modernized technologies for criminal gain. From social media to cryptocurrencies, hackers can break into networks and steal sensitive information for their own capital advantage,” Pearce said. “As Chairman of the Terrorism and Illicit Finance Subcommittee, I’m working on reforming policies to improve our nation’s financial framework to better detect and combat illicit activity. The U.S. should be a leader in developing resilient and proactive cybersecurity strategies. I thank my colleague, Congressman Himes, along with the U.S. Institute of Peace, for having this discussion today so we can get working towards a better tomorrow.”
“I am pleased to join my colleague Rep. Steve Pearce in a bipartisan dialogue to discuss the growing threat to online financial networks. Terrorists and rogue states are exploiting rapid technological advancements and utilizing cyber-attacks to disrupt the global financial system. Technologies such as cryptocurrencies offer anonymity and are borderless, making them targets for exploitation by malicious actors for illicit activities ranging from terrorist financing, money laundering and evasion of sanctions. There’s a lot of work to be done, and opening the dialogue like we have done today is definitely a step in the right direction,” Himes said.
The Bipartisan Congressional Dialogue was moderated by Nancy Lindborg, President of the U.S. Institute of Peace:
“Representatives Pearce and Himes are leading Congress in combatting the illicit funding of terrorism that perpetuates violent conflict and undermines American interests. They are leaders on the frontier of technology and national security issues where bipartisanship is essential,” Lindborg said.
To read more about April 17 dialogue and to check out the audio stream, visit the U.S. Institute of Peace website here.
