119th Congress · introduced in the Senate · Feb 9, 2026
Fighting Trade Cheats Act of 2026
Official title from Congress.gov
Latest action (Feb 9, 2026): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
View on Congress.govPolicy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Congressional Research Service summary, version: Introduced in Senate (Feb 9, 2026)
Fighting Trade Cheats Act of 2026
This bill increases penalties for, and establishes additional enforcement mechanisms related to, fraudulent and grossly negligent violations of U.S. customs laws.
Specifically, the bill increases the maximum civil penalty for a fraudulent violation to three times the domestic value of the merchandise. (Currently, the maximum penalty is the domestic value of the merchandise.) It prohibits a person who commits a fraudulent violation from importing merchandise into the United States for a five-year period.
Additionally, the bill increases the maximum civil penalty for a grossly negligent violation to the lesser of (1) 3 times the domestic value of the merchandise; or (2) 10 times the lawful duties, taxes, and fees. (Currently, the maximum penalty is the lesser of the domestic value of the merchandise or four times the lawful duties, taxes, and fees.) It prohibits a person who commits a grossly negligent violation from importing merchandise into the United States for a two-year period.
Further, the bill applies these importation bans to an affiliated person (e.g., a family member or employee) of the person who committed the fraudulent or grossly negligent violation.
The bill establishes a private right of action for an interested party (e.g., a manufacturer) affected by customs fraud or grossly negligent violations.
Show the full summary (1 more paragraphs)Includes amendment, cloture, and procedural votes. Each is labeled with its exact question; only a passage question is a vote to pass the bill.
No recorded roll calls on this bill in coverage.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Introduced in Senate
Actions from Congress.gov, newest first.
LD-2 reports whose issue descriptions explicitly cite this bill (bill type and number validated against Congress.gov records). A citation does not establish the client's position or any contact with a member.
Loading lobbying reportsCoverage: reports for 2025 onward, posted Jan 1, 2025 through Oct 23, 2026.
24 citations.
SPECIALTY STEEL INDUSTY OF NORTH AMERICA · lobbying firm or registrant: KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$20,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…alty metals, as they relate to unfair trade practices, including the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act (S. 691 / H.R. 1548) and the Fighting Trade Cheats Act (S. 3808 / H.R. 1284)
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
COLD FINISHED STEEL BAR INSTITUTE · lobbying firm or registrant: KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$40,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…steel tariffs; trade enforcement legislation including the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act (S. 691 / H.R. 1548), the Fighting Trade Cheats Act (H.R. 1284 / S. 3808), the Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act (H.R. 1896), and the STEEL Act (H.R. 6446)
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN WIRE PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$30,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…steel tariffs; trade enforcement legislation including the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act (S. 691 / H.R. 1548), the Fighting Trade Cheats Act (H.R. 1284 / S. 3808), the Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act (H.R. 1896), and the STEEL Act (H.R. 6446)
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
MUNICIPAL CASTINGS ASSOCIATION FORMERLY MUNICIPAL CASTINGS FAIR TRADE COUNCIL · lobbying firm or registrant: KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$250,000
Paid to lobbying firm
Trade enforcement legislation including the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act (S. 691 / H.R. 1548), the Fighting Trade Cheats Act (H.R. 1284, S. 3808), the Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act (H.R. 1896), and the Strengthening Trade Enforcement and Evasion Limitations A…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
ALLIANCE FOR AMERICAN MANUFACTURING · lobbying firm or registrant: KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$60,000
Paid to lobbying firm
Trade enforcement legislation including the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act (S. 691 / H.R. 1548), the Fighting Trade Cheats Act (H.R. 1284, S. 3808), the Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act (H.R. 1896), and the Strengthening Trade Enforcement and Evasion Limitations A…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
UNITED STEELWORKERS · lobbying firm or registrant: THE WESSEL GROUP INCORPORATED
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 13, 2026 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$10,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…oposals to address circumvention and evasion of existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders, including the Fighting Trade Cheats Act of 2025 (H.R. 1284/S. 3808); Support for Trade Adjustment Assistance Renewal; Support for action under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to address Chinese Transportation, logistics,…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
MCWANE, INC. · lobbying firm or registrant: THE WESSEL GROUP INCORPORATED
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 13, 2026 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$40,000
Paid to lobbying firm
Support for the Fighting Trade Cheats Act (H.R. 1284/S. 3808).
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
ALLIANCE FOR AMERICAN MANUFACTURING · lobbying firm or registrant: THE WESSEL GROUP INCORPORATED
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 13, 2026 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$60,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…oposals to address circumvention and evasion of existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders, including the Fighting Trade Cheats Act of 2025 (H.R. 1284/S. 3808); Support for the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act (H.R.1548/ S.691); Addressing surge of steel and aluminum imports from Mexico; Support for retention of Se…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
ALLIANCE FOR AMERICAN MANUFACTURING · lobbying firm or registrant: KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$60,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…de enforcement; trade enforcement legislation including the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act (S. 691 / H.R. 1548), the Fighting Trade Cheats Act (H.R. 1284 / S. 3808), the Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act (H.R. 1896), and the Strengthening Trade Enforcement and Evasion Limitations A…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
MUNICIPAL CASTINGS ASSOCIATION FORMERLY MUNICIPAL CASTINGS FAIR TRADE COUNCIL · lobbying firm or registrant: KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$250,000
Paid to lobbying firm
Trade enforcement legislation including the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act (S. 691 / H.R. 1548), the Fighting Trade Cheats Act (H.R. 1284, S. 3808), the Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act (H.R. 1896), and the Strengthening Trade Enforcement and Evasion Limitations A…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
SPECIALTY STEEL INDUSTY OF NORTH AMERICA · lobbying firm or registrant: KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$30,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…alty metals, as they relate to unfair trade practices, including the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act (S. 691 / H.R. 1548) and the Fighting Trade Cheats Act (S. 3808 / H.R. 1284)
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
COLD FINISHED STEEL BAR INSTITUTE · lobbying firm or registrant: KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$20,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…ices and trade enforcement; trade enforcement legislation including the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act (S. 691 / H.R. 1548), the Fighting Trade Cheats Act (S. 3808 / H.R. 1284), and the Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act (H.R. 1896)
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN WIRE PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$30,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…steel tariffs; trade enforcement legislation including the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act (S. 691 / H.R. 1548), the Fighting Trade Cheats Act (H.R. 1284 / S. 3808), the Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act (H.R. 1896), and the STEEL Act (H.R. 6446)
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
MCWANE, INC. · lobbying firm or registrant: THE WESSEL GROUP INCORPORATED
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 17, 2026 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$50,000
Paid to lobbying firm
Support for the Fighting Trade Cheats Act (H.R. 1284/S. 3808).
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
UNITED STEELWORKERS · lobbying firm or registrant: THE WESSEL GROUP INCORPORATED
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 17, 2026 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$10,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…oposals to address circumvention and evasion of existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders, including the Fighting Trade Cheats Act of 2025 (H.R. 1284/S. 3808); Support for Trade Adjustment Assistance Renewal; Support for action under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to address Chinese Transportation, logistics,…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
ALLIANCE FOR AMERICAN MANUFACTURING · lobbying firm or registrant: THE WESSEL GROUP INCORPORATED
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 17, 2026 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$70,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…oposals to address circumvention and evasion of existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders, including the Fighting Trade Cheats Act of 2025 (H.R. 1284/S. 3808); Support for the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act (H.R.1548/ S.691); Addressing surge of steel and aluminum imports from Mexico; Support for retention of Se…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
MUNICIPAL CASTINGS ASSOCIATION FORMERLY MUNICIPAL CASTINGS FAIR TRADE COUNCIL · lobbying firm or registrant: KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 20, 2026 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$250,000
Paid to lobbying firm
Trade enforcement legislation including the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act (S. 691 / H.R. 1548), the Fighting Trade Cheats Act (H.R. 1284, S. 3808), the Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act (H.R. 1896), and the Strengthening Trade Enforcement and Evasion Limitations A…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
ALLIANCE FOR AMERICAN MANUFACTURING · lobbying firm or registrant: KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 20, 2026 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$60,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…de enforcement; trade enforcement legislation including the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act (S. 691 / H.R. 1548), the Fighting Trade Cheats Act (H.R. 1284 / S. 3808), the Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act (H.R. 1896), and the Strengthening Trade Enforcement and Evasion Limitations A…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
SPECIALTY STEEL INDUSTY OF NORTH AMERICA · lobbying firm or registrant: KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 20, 2026 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$20,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…alty metals, as they relate to unfair trade practices, including the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act (S. 691 / H.R. 1548) and the Fighting Trade Cheats Act (S. 3808 / H.R. 1284)
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
COLD FINISHED STEEL BAR INSTITUTE · lobbying firm or registrant: KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 20, 2026 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$40,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…ices and trade enforcement; trade enforcement legislation including the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act (S. 691 / H.R. 1548), the Fighting Trade Cheats Act (S. 3808 / H.R. 1284), and the Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act (H.R. 1896)
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
UNITED STEELWORKERS · lobbying firm or registrant: THE WESSEL GROUP INCORPORATED
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 20, 2026 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$10,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…oposals to address circumvention and evasion of existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders, including the Fighting Trade Cheats Act of 2025 (H.R. 1284/S. 3808); Support for Trade Adjustment Assistance Renewal; Support for action under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to address Chinese Transportation, logistics,…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
MCWANE, INC. · lobbying firm or registrant: THE WESSEL GROUP INCORPORATED
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 20, 2026 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$50,000
Paid to lobbying firm
Support for the Fighting Trade Cheats Act (H.R. 1284/S. 3808).
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
ALLIANCE FOR AMERICAN MANUFACTURING · lobbying firm or registrant: THE WESSEL GROUP INCORPORATED
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 20, 2026 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$90,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…oposals to address circumvention and evasion of existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders, including the Fighting Trade Cheats Act of 2025 (H.R. 1284/S. 3808); Support for the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act (H.R.1548/ S.691); Addressing surge of steel and aluminum imports from Mexico; Support for retention of Se…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN WIRE PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 20, 2026 · issue area: Trade (domestic/foreign)
$30,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…steel tariffs; trade enforcement legislation including the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act (S. 691 / H.R. 1548), the Fighting Trade Cheats Act (H.R. 1284 / S. 3808), the Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act (H.R. 1896), and the STEEL Act (H.R. 6446)
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing