April 24, 2026 | Endorsements

S.3496, the United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act

April 24, 2026 Endorsements

S.3496, the United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act

Bottom Line Up Front

S. 3496, the United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act, would require a comprehensive strategy from the Secretary of State to combat illicit gold mining in the Western Hemisphere and make it easier for the Secretary of the Treasury to designate jurisdictions and financial institutions as primary money laundering concerns for involvement in illicit mining.

Bill Number S. 3496
Bill Name United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act
Summary Requires the Secretary of State to develop a comprehensive strategy to combat illicit gold mining in the Western Hemisphere.
Chamber Senate
Lead Sponsor Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)
Co-Lead Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA)
Original Cosponsors Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
Date Introduced 12/16/2025

Click here to read the full legislative text and view the list of cosponsors.

Why It Matters

  • Illicit gold has become a major source of revenue for drug cartels and other criminal groups in the Western Hemisphere.
  • Once illicit gold enters the international supply chain, it’s next to impossible to trace its illicit origins.
  • Illicit gold provides growing financial strength to transnational criminal organizations in strategically important U.S. partners, including Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador, and plays a major role in illicit economies in Nicaragua and Venezuela.

“Illicit gold is a growing source of revenue for drug cartels that terrorize countries across Latin America and threaten U.S. national security. FDD Action is proud to support this bipartisan legislation that will focus more U.S. diplomatic attention and resources on countering this growing illicit market in America’s backyard.”

Connor Pfeiffer

Senior Director of Government Relations, FDD Action

Congressional Press Releases

Read statements from members of Congress who are supporting this legislation:

Issues:

Latin America Sanctions and Illicit Finance Venezuela