By Jeanne Whalen
Washington Post
WASHINGTON _ A groundbreaking measure to end the creation of anonymous shell companies in the United States cleared Congress on Friday as the Senate joined the House in passing a defense-spending bill with a veto-proof margin.
The Corporate Transparency Act, which was tacked onto the defense bill, would require corporations and limited liability companies established in the United States to disclose their real owners to the Treasury Department, making it harder for criminals to anonymously launder money or evade taxes.
The measure passed the Senate 84-13 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, which cleared the House earlier this week. President Trump has pledged to veto the defense bill – one of few laws that passes every year – because it doesn’t include his demand to repeal liability protections for social media companies. Trump also opposes a clause ordering the renaming of military bases that are named after Confederate leaders.