Evan Bayh: “yesterday I joined with Senator Graham in introducing the Money Laundering Control Enhancement Act of 2009. This bill…”

“yesterday I joined with Senator Graham in introducing the Money Laundering Control Enhancement Act of 2009. This bill would clarify congressional intent and ensure that federal prosecutors are able to more effectively fight money laundering and terrorism financing. In particular, this bill would overturn the Supreme Court's narrow and confusing decision in United States v. Santos and clarify that, as used in the Money Laundering Control Act, the term ``proceeds'' refers to the total receipts--not simply the profits--of an illegal activity. To interpret this statute differently, as the Santos decision suggests we should, would create needless problems of proof and unfairly burden prosecutors. In a world where criminals and terrorists are constantly developing new and more sophisticated ways to hide and launder dirty money, it does not make sense to require prosecutors to prove that these dangerous criminals generated a profit from their illegal activities.”