§ 10501. Definitions

In this chapter:

• (1) The term “appropriate congressional committees” means—
  • (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate; and
  • (B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Financial Services, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives.
• (2) The term “corrupt actor” means—
  • (A) any foreign person or entity that is a government official or government entity responsible for, or complicit in, an act of corruption; and
  • (B) any company, in which a person or entity described in subparagraph (A) has a significant stake, which is responsible for, or complicit in, an act of corruption.
• (3) The term “corruption” means the unlawful exercise of entrusted public power for private gain, including by bribery, nepotism, fraud, or embezzlement.
• (4) The term “significant corruption” means corruption committed at a high level of government that has some or all of the following characteristics:
  • (A) Illegitimately distorts major decision-making, such as policy or resource determinations, or other fundamental functions of governance.
  • (B) Involves economically or socially large-scale government activities.