Financial Actions in the War on Terrorism (Text Only)

Homeland Security
President Bush Signs Homeland Security Act
"Today, we are taking historic action to defend the United States and protect our citizens against the dangers of a new era. With my signature, this act of Congress will create a new Department of Homeland Security, ensuring that our efforts to defend this country are comprehensive and united," said President George W. Bush.
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Terrorism Insurance
President Signs Terrorism Insurance Act

Terrorism Finance Tracking
The U.S. government has created three organizations -- the Foreign Terrorist Asset Tracking Center (FTAT), Operation Green Quest and the Terrorist Financing Task Force. These organizations are facilitating information sharing between intelligence and law enforcement agencies and encourage other countries to identify, disrupt, and defeat terrorist financing networks.

Goals: Deny, Impair, Expose
To deny terrorist groups access to the international financial system, to impair the ability of terrorists to fundraise, and to expose, isolate and incapacitate the financial networks of terrorists.

President George W. Bush speaks during the signing of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act in the East Room, Tuesday, Nov. 26. "The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act will provide coverage for catastrophic losses from potential terrorist attacks. Should terrorists strike America again, we have a system in place to address financial losses and get our economy back on its feet as quickly as possible," said the President.

208 countries and jurisdictions have expressed their support for the financial war on terror.

Some 167 countries have issued orders freezing terrorist assets, and others have requested U.S. help in improving their legal and regulatory systems so they can more effectively block terrorist funds.

Since September 11, the U.S. has blocked $34.3 million in assets of terrorist organizations. Other nations have also blocked another $77.9 million.

Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has set up an 800 number for financial institutions professionals when they encounter suspicious transactions.

Issues In Focus