U.S. Sanctions: Legislation in the 117th Congress

U.S. Sanctions: Legislation in the 117th Congress

U.S. Sanctions: Legislation in the
December 20, 2022
117th Congress
Edward J. Collins-Chase
Members of the 117th Congress have introduced more than 350 bills related to the use of
Analyst in Foreign Policy
sanctions as a foreign policy and national security tool. Of these bills, committees have

considered more than 60, at least one chamber has passed more than 30, and the President has
signed seven into law. The 117th Congress has demonstrated continued prioritization of

longstanding policy issues related to the use of sanctions, as well as consideration of issues that
are comparatively new to the debate surrounding sanctions.
Sanctions legislation introduced in the 117th Congress may be divided into three broad, and sometimes overlapping,
categories:
 Country-Specific Sanctions: legislation that relates to sanctions with respect to geopolitical events or
strategic interests concerning a specific country or region. Such legislation most frequently targeted the
governments of, or objectionable behaviors within the borders of, Russia, Iran, China, Cuba, Afghanistan,
and Burma in this time period.
 Sanctions Related to Transnational Issues: legislation concerning sanctions related to specific
objectionable behaviors or transnational issues that threaten U.S. foreign policy or national security
interests. The largest portion of these in the 117th Congress target human rights abuse, corruption, and
international terrorism.
 Sanctions Implementation and Process: legislation that relates to Congress’s role in the use of sanctions
as a U.S. foreign policy tool, such as legislation that prescribes appropriations for executive branch
agencies that implement U.S. sanctions, outlines mechanisms by which Congress may engage in oversight
of sanctions, and defines the criteria by which the President may waive sanctions.
When introducing legislation related to U.S. sanctions, Members may consider certain issues related to Congress’s role in
sanctions implementation, including the following:
 The Role of Sanctions in U.S. Foreign Policy: In addition to authorizing, requiring, or prohibiting the
imposition of sanctions through legislation, Congress also has avenues at its disposal to define or clarify the
foreign policy and national security strategies or objectives that sanctions should serve. Members may
consider how best to contextualize the use of sanctions as a tool within broader U.S. foreign policy.
 The Roles of Congress and the Executive Branch: Congress may take actions that affect sanctions
imposed by the President through executive order by invoking emergency authorities. Such actions may
take the form of codifying into law sanctions authorities issued by executive order; enacting requirements
for the President to report to Congress on the use of sanctions; enacting legislation that sets the conditions
by which sanctions designations may be waived or subject to exemptions; and modifying the funding,
structure, or oversight mechanisms of executive agencies that administer U.S. sanctions. Congress may also
enact legislation that creates sanctions authorities in instances where the President has not yet done so, or
declines to do so.
 Oversight and Implementation: In enacting sanctions legislation, Members may consider how to balance
promoting flexible implementation of sanctions with exercising Congress’s constitutionally endowed
authority to engage in oversight of the executive branch. In doing so, Members may consider how or
whether to include requirements that the executive branch report on the implementation of sanctions, or
what conditions to place on waiving, exempting, or removing sanctions in certain circumstances.
 Constitutional Role of Congress: Members have leveraged Congress’s constitutionally endowed “power
of the purse” to exert influence on the policies and practices of executive agencies implementing U.S.
sanctions. Some elements of legislation introduced in the 117th Congress include provisions that seek to
prevent recognition of foreign governments by the United States or seek to require sanctions on specific
individuals or entities, but may also be subject to legal challenges.
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Contents
Role of Sanctions in U.S. Foreign Policy ........................................................................................ 1
Sanctions and the 117th Congress: Selected Trends and Actions ..................................................... 2
Legislation Related to Country-Specific Sanctions................................................................... 3
Russia .................................................................................................................................. 3
Iran ...................................................................................................................................... 4
China ................................................................................................................................... 6
Cuba .................................................................................................................................... 7
Afghanistan ......................................................................................................................... 8
Burma.................................................................................................................................. 9
Transnational Issues .................................................................................................................. 9
Human Rights and Corruption ............................................................................................ 9
Terrorism/Counterterrorism .............................................................................................. 10
Sanctions Implementation and Agencies Administering U.S. Sanctions ................................. 11
Congressional Issues ..................................................................................................................... 12
Role of Sanctions in U.S. Foreign Policy ......................................................................... 12
Roles of Congress and the Executive Branch ................................................................... 13
Selected Oversight and Implementation Issues ................................................................ 14
Constitutional Role of Congress ....................................................................................... 15

Tables

Table A-1. Enacted Legislation Related to U.S. Sanctions............................................................ 16
Table A-2. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022 .................... 16
Table A-3. The Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2022 ........................................ 18
Table A-4. The Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act of 2022 ......... 20
Table A-5. Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act of 2022 .......................................................... 20
Table B-1. Selected Legislation Related to Russia Sanctions ....................................................... 21
Table B-2. Selected Legislation Related to Iran Sanctions............................................................ 24
Table B-3. Selected Legislation Related to China Sanctions ........................................................ 25
Table B-4. Selected Legislation Related to Cuba Sanctions .......................................................... 28
Table B-5. Selected Legislation Related to Sanctions on Afghanistan, the Taliban, or the
Haqqani Network ....................................................................................................................... 28
Table C-1. Selected Legislation Related to Sanctions and Human Rights and/or
Corruption .................................................................................................................................. 29
Table C-2. Selected Legislation Related to Sanctions and Terrorism/Counterterrorism ............... 31

Appendixes
Appendix A. Enacted Legislation with Sanctions Provisions: A Selected Summary .................... 16
Appendix B. Selected Legislation Related to Country-Specific Sanctions ................................... 21
Appendix C. Selected Legislation Related to Sanctions Concerning Transnational Issues .......... 29
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Contacts
Author Information ........................................................................................................................ 32

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U.S. Sanctions: Legislation in the 117th Congress

Role of Sanctions in U.S. Foreign Policy
Sanctions are coercive measures imposed by a government or coalition of governments against
another country, government, or specific individuals and entities. In furtherance of U.S. national
security or foreign policy objectives, the United States may impose sanctions to deter or alter
objectionable behaviors or policies.1 These sanctions include restrictive measures affecting, for
example, foreign assistance; exports, imports, joint projects, or investments, including trade
embargoes or prohibitions on financial underwriting or insurance; diplomatic ties or the ability to
travel to the United States; access to assets held in the United States; economic transactions with
individuals or entities under U.S. jurisdiction; or access to the U.S. financial system. The United
States’ use of sanctions as a foreign policy and national security tool has increased substantially
since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.2 As of October, 2021, the U.S. Department of
the Treasury reports that the United States maintains sanctions on over 9,400 individuals and
entities—an increase of over 900% since 2000—related to more than 20 countries.3
Congress and the executive branch occupy different roles in the use of sanctions as a foreign
policy tool, based on the legal authority conferred on each by the Constitution and federal statute.
The Constitution grants Congress the power to impose and collect taxes, tariffs, and duties, and to
regulate international commerce. The President has no specific constitutional authority over
international trade and commerce—including over restrictions on trade and commerce commonly
referred to as “sanctions”—unless delegated such authority through legislation enacted by
Congress.4 Congress has authorized the President to impose restrictions on international trade and
commerce when conditions threaten the U.S. national security, foreign policy, or economy in
enacting the National Emergencies Act (NEA), Trading With the Enemy Act, and the
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).5 Under these authorities, the President
can establish and enforce economic restrictions without further congressional action.6 Though
emergency authorities empower the President to impose economic sanctions without further
congressional action, Congress has often enacted legislation that directs the President to impose
such sanctions with respect to a specific foreign policy objective, geopolitical situation, or
bilateral relationship, and may choose to do so in future instances. Congress also may exercise its
role in structuring and imposing sanctions by using its constitutional power to appropriate (or
withhold) funds to the agencies administering sanctions, engage in oversight on sanctions

1 The United States may also impose sanctions as part of participation in multilateral United Nations sanctions, under
its obligations pursuant to section 5 of the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 (UNPA; P.L. 79-264 as amended,
50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).
2 U.S. Department of the Treasury, 2021 Sanctions Review, October, 2021, at https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/
136/Treasury-2021-sanctions-review.pdf.
3 According to the Treasury’s 2021 Sanctions Review, at the end of the year 2000 the Specially Designated Nationals
list included 912 individuals and entities, compared to 9,421 at the time of the report’s release, at
https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Treasury-2021-sanctions-review.pdf; U.S. Department of the Treasury,
Office of Foreign Assets Control, “Sanctions Programs and Country Information,” at https://home.treasury.gov/policy-
issues/financial-sanctions/sanctions-programs-and-country-information.
4 For more information, see CRS Report R44707, Presidential Authority over Trade: Imposing Tariffs and Duties.
5 The National Emergencies Act of 1976 (P.L. 94-412; 50 U.S.C. §1601 et seq.), Trading With the Enemy Act (TWEA;
P.L. 65-91, as amended; 50 U.S.C. 53), and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA; Title
II of P.L. 95-223, 50 U.S.C. §1701 et seq.), respectively. The President may also restrict foreign persons’ entry into the
United States pursuant to section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (INA; P.L. 82-414, as
amended, 8 U.S.C. 1182(f)).
6 See CRS Report R45618, The International Emergency Economic Powers Act: Origins, Evolution, and Use.
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implementation, or revoke or amend the legislation that grants authority to the executive branch
over international commerce and trade.
In the United States, sanctions administration and enforcement are the responsibility of the
executive branch. This responsibility is shared by various agencies and departments, but primarily
the Departments of State, the Treasury, and Commerce:
 the Department of State manages arms sales, diplomatic relations, visa issuance,
military aid, and foreign aid;
 the Department of the Treasury regulates transactions, access to U.S.-based
assets, use of the U.S. dollar and U.S. banking system, and the U.S. voice and
vote in the international financial institutions; and
 the Department of Commerce oversees export licensing and compliance with
international obligations primarily associated with nuclear nonproliferation
agreements.7
Sanctions and the 117th Congress: Selected Trends
and Actions
Congress remains engaged in decisions affecting the use of sanctions in foreign policy. Numerous
Members of the 117th Congress have introduced over 350 pieces of legislation related to
sanctions. Of these, seven have become law (see Appendix A); these include
 the Reinforcing Nicaragua’s Adherence to Conditions for Electoral Reform Act
of 2021 (RENACER Act);8
 the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) of 2021;9
 the Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act;10
 the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act;11
 an act to amend the Fentanyl Sanctions Act, to modify certain deadlines relating
to the Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking;12
 the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2022; 13 and
 the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022.14
Annual appropriations and defense authorization legislation is often used as a legislative vehicle
for sanctions. The Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2022 and the National
Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022 continued this trend. 15 They contain

7 For more information, see CRS In Focus IF11730, Economic Sanctions: Overview for the 117th Congress.
8 P.L. 117-54.
9 P.L. 117-78.
10 P.L. 117-110.
11 P.L. 117-109.
12 P.L. 117-51.
13 P.L. 117-103.
14 P.L. 117-81.
15 The Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2022 (Division E of P.L. 117-103), the
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2022 (Division K of P.L. 117-
103); P.L. 117-81; for a summary of relevant provisions see Table A-2 and Table A-3.
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both appropriations for the executive agencies administering sanctions and authorization of
functions related to U.S. sanctions. They also include other provisions authorizing sanctions or
requiring various other restrictive measures.
Introduction of sanctions legislation frequently corresponds with major geopolitical events,
executive branch testimony or reports, and appropriations cycles. Some sanctions proposals focus
on issues that are comparatively new, such as contribution to climate change, threats arising from
cybersecurity and digital currency, and accountability for the origins of the Coronavirus Disease
2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Others focus on issues that are of longstanding concern to
legislators, including Iran’s or North Korea’s attempts to acquire nuclear weapons, acts of
international terrorism, and human rights abuse or corruption.
Numerous Members of the 117th Congress have introduced sanctions legislation with provisions
that may be divided into three broad, and sometimes overlapping, categories:
 Country-Specific Sanctions: legislation that relates to sanctions with respect to
geopolitical events or strategic interests concerning a specific country or region.
 Sanctions Related to Transnational Issues: legislation concerning sanctions
related to specific objectionable behaviors or transnational issues that threaten
U.S. foreign policy or national security interests.
 Sanctions Implementation and Process: legislation that relates to Congress’s
role in the use of sanctions as a U.S. foreign policy tool, such as legislation that
prescribes appropriations for executive branch agencies that implement U.S.
sanctions, outlines mechanisms by which Congress may engage in oversight of
sanctions, and defines the criteria by which the President may waive sanctions.
This report provides an overview of sanctions legislation and related trends in the 117th Congress,
organized by these categories. Tables in the appendices detail enacted and introduced sanctions
legislation organized by these categories.
Legislation Related to Country-Specific Sanctions
Some Members of the 117th Congress have introduced legislation related to sanctions that concern
specific foreign countries, and have sometimes exhibited a sustained or repeated focus on
sanctions implementation related to certain countries such as Russia, Iran, North Korea, China,
Cuba, Afghanistan, or Burma (see Appendix B). Key legislative trends include bills directing that
sanctions be imposed in relation to a specific foreign policy issue, removing sanctions in certain
instances, and directing the President to provide reporting related to the use of sanctions or to
certify that certain criteria are met before removing or waiving restrictions.
Russia
Congress remains engaged on the use of U.S. sanctions as a policy tool to address malign
activities attributed to the government of the Russian Federation, including by designating16
senior officials within the government and Russian economic elites (colloquially referred to as
“oligarchs”).17 Members have introduced more than 80 bills related to U.S. sanctions on Russia,
more than 50 of which were introduced after Russia’s February 24, 2022, renewed invasion of

16 “Designating” is a term frequently used to describe imposition of sanctions, particularly with respect to individuals or
entities placed on the Department of the Treasury’s Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List.
17 For further discussion of U.S.-Russia relations, see CRS Report R46761, Russia: Foreign Policy and U.S. Relations.
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Ukraine (Table B-1). Prior to February 2022, some Members of the 117th Congress introduced,
but did not enact, legislation that would expand sanctions restrictions with respect to Russia in
relation to the use of a chemical weapon in attacking opposition leader Alexei Navalny, acts of
malign influence in foreign countries such as Georgia and Nicaragua, and the construction of the
Nord Stream 2 AG pipeline to provide natural gas from Russia to Europe.18
Many of the sanctions on Russia proposed in legislation have subsequently been implemented or
surpassed by sanctions imposed by executive action in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of
Ukraine. Due to the rapidly changing nature of the armed conflict in Ukraine, sanctions imposed
by the United States in coordination with its NATO allies, European Union (EU) partners, and
other aligned nations have shifted quickly since the outset of the crisis. As of September 2022,
sanctions imposed by the United States on Russia in response to its 2022 invasion of Ukraine
include, among others,
 new sanctions on members of the Russian Federation government and so-called
“oligarchs,” including restrictions on entry into the United States, a freeze on
assets held in U.S. jurisdiction, and a prohibition on transactions with U.S.
persons;
 sanctions related to construction of the Nord Stream 2 AG pipeline;
 sanctions on Russia’s central bank and other major financial institutions;
 prohibitions of imports of Russian energy products;
 prohibitions on the export to Russia of critical technology; and
 sanctions on Belarus for its role in Russia’s expanded invasion.19
While the acute nature of the crisis in Ukraine brought about a sudden shift in U.S. sanctions
related to Russia in the short term, longer-term U.S. policy priorities with respect to Russia—and
the role of sanctions as tools to achieve those priorities—may be of ongoing concern to some
Members of Congress. Congress already has enacted legislation that may influence long-term
sanctions policy on Russia in relation to its continued invasion of Ukraine. For example, since
February 2022, Congress has revoked normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus, and banned
the importation of Russian energy products.20 Congress has also required a classified report from
the Biden Administration detailing the nature of Russian influence in Nicaragua, and cooperation
between Russian security contractors and the Nicaraguan military, intelligence services, security
forces, and law enforcement.21
Iran
U.S. sanctions on Iran date back to the 1979 revolution in that country. They are among the most
restrictive of any U.S. sanctions program, and derive from the authority of numerous laws and

18 See selected legislation in Table B-1.
19 For more, see CRS Insight IN11869, Russia’s 2022 Invasion of Ukraine: Overview of U.S. Sanctions and Other
Responses; CRS Insight IN11871, Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: New Financial and Trade Sanctions; and CRS Insight
IN11897, Russia’s 2022 Invasion of Ukraine: European Union Responses and U.S.-EU Relations.
20 Pursuant to the Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act of 2022 (P.L. 117-110), and the
Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act of 2022 (P.L. 117-109).
21 RENACER Act (P.L. 117-54 §9).
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executive actions.22 The United States has imposed sanctions on Iran or Iranian persons with the
stated intention of compelling them to cease certain policies and behaviors, including support for
acts of international terrorism, development of Iran’s nuclear program, serious human rights
abuses against Iranian citizens, proliferation and sale of conventional arms and missiles to other
countries, and hostile and destabilizing maritime actions in international waters. Recent
congressional interest in using U.S. sanctions against Iran may stem, in part, from President
Trump’s 2018 decision to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA),23
which provided for the easing of certain sanctions on Iran in exchange for its cessation of certain
activities related to potential development of a nuclear weapon, and the Biden Administration’s
expressed intention to reverse this withdrawal.24
Some Members of the 117th Congress have introduced multiple bills that would modify the nature
of U.S. sanctions on Iran (Table B-2). The enacted National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2022; the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations
Act for Fiscal Year 2022;25 and the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 202226 include
provisions relevant to restrictions on Iran, including provisions that
 create new reporting requirements or reenact previous reporting requirements
related to Iran’s military capabilities,27 Iran’s nuclear program,28 and the impact
U.S. sanctions have had in modifying, constraining, or affecting the activities for
which Iran is sanctioned;29
 create new restrictions or reenact previous restrictions on Iran, such as
prohibiting the acquisition of medical personal protective equipment from Iran;30
and
 prohibit the transfer of appropriated funds to Iran or the use of appropriated funds
for projects that support or otherwise legitimize the government of Iran.31
The majority of proposed legislation introduced in the 117th Congress concerning Iran sanctions
seeks to limit the removal of sanctions in some capacity—many by placing restrictions on the

22 For a comprehensive analysis of U.S. sanctions related to Iran, including a description of authorities to waive
sanctions, or those not waived in the course of implementing the JCPOA, see CRS Report R43311, Iran: U.S.
Economic Sanctions and the Authority to Lift Restrictions.
23 For more information see CRS Report R43311, Iran: U.S. Economic Sanctions and the Authority to Lift Restrictions.
24 CRS Report R46663, Possible U.S. Return to Iran Nuclear Agreement: Frequently Asked Questions.
25 As enacted in Division K of the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (P.L. 117-103).
26 As enacted in Division X of the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (P.L. 117-103).
27 Section 1227(a)(2)(A) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (P.L. 117-81).
28 Section 7041(b)(2)(A) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act,
2022 (Division K of P.L. 117-103).
29 Section 7041(b)(2)(B) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act,
2022 (Division K of P.L. 117-103), directing the Secretary of State to provide a report assessing the impact of bilateral
and secondary sanctions on Iran’s destabilizing activities in the Middle East; Section 717 of the Intelligence
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Division X of P.L. 117-103), directing the Director of National Intelligence to
provide a report on the effects of U.S. economic sanctions, with case studies to include Iran and China.
30 Section 802 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (P.L. 117-81) directs that such
prohibitions apply to multiple foreign countries, including Iran.
31 Section 1226 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (P.L. 117-81); Sections 7007 and
7041(j) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2022 (Division K of
P.L. 117-103).
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President’s ability to reenter the JCPOA or enter into a related successor agreement. Multiple
proposed bills seek to limit executive authority to enter into any agreement with Iran that would
ease sanctions by requiring that the President certify that certain conditions are met before doing
so.32 These certification requirements are generally more expansive and apply to a broader range
of malign behaviors than those required by existing law under the Iran Nuclear Agreement
Review Act (INARA) of 2015.33 Members have also introduced legislation that seeks to require
that the JCPOA or any related agreement with Iran be treated as a treaty rather than as an
international agreement, thus requiring the advice and consent of the Senate to enter into force.34
Other bills introduced in the 117th Congress contain provisions that seek to restrict the removal of
sanctions on Iran outside the context of a return to the JCPOA or negotiation of a new successor
agreement. Such provisions include those that codify executive orders directing that sanctions be
imposed on Iran or Iranian persons, or restrict the President’s ability to issue waivers or
exemptions to sanctions on Iran.35
China
The United States and China maintain a bilateral relationship that is increasingly characterized by
competition and rivalry, though the two remain major trade partners.36 The United States
designates nationals of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to be subject to sanctions based on
multiple authorities, including those designed to address human rights abuse, illicit narcotics
trafficking, cyber-attacks, and corruption;37 deter weapons proliferation; comply with multilateral
sanctions on North Korea and U.S. sanctions on Iran; and object to China’s policies with respect
to Hong Kong.38

32 For example, H.R. 3966 “To prohibit the United States from rejoining the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
(JCPOA) until the President makes certain certifications, and for other purposes”; H.R. 1231, the Constraining Human
Rights Offenders in the Middle East (CHROME) Act of 2021.
33 P.L. 114-17.
34 For example, S. 1205 and H.R. 1479, the Iran Nuclear Deal Advice and Consent Act of 2021; and S. 2030, the Iran
Nuclear Treaty Act.
35 For example, the No Sanctions Relief for Terrorists Act of 2021 (H.R. 901) includes provisions that seek to restrict
the President’s authority to waive or exempt sanctions with respect to Iranian persons designated under Executive
Order 13224 of September 25, 2001, “Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit,
Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism,” 66 Federal Register 49079l; and H.R. 2718, the Maximum Pressure Act,
which contains provisions codifying seven executive orders with respect to Iran, expansions on the criteria for
imposing sanctions on Iranian persons, and other amendments to previously-enacted legislation related to Iran
sanctions.
36 See CRS Report R45898, U.S.-China Relations.
37 The United States has designated PRC government entities and multiple current or former PRC government officials
pursuant to the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act in connection to serious human rights abuse in
China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Press Release, “Treasury Sanctions
Chinese Entity and Officials Pursuant to Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act,” July 9, 2020.
38 The United States has designated for sanctions persons determined to be “responsible for or involved in developing,
adopting, or implementing, the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong
Kong Administrative Region,” as well as persons responsible for or complicit in actions that undermine democratic
processes or institutions in Hong Kong; actions that threaten the peace, security, stability or autonomy of Hong Kong;
censorship or other activities with respect to Hong Kong that prohibit, limit, or penalize the exercise of freedom of
expression or assembly; the extrajudicial rendition, arbitrary detention, or torture of any person in Hong Kong; among
other malign behaviors related to Hong Kong. These designations are made pursuant to Executive Order 13936 of July
14, 2020, “The President’s Executive Order on Hong Kong Normalization,” 85 Federal Register 43413; based on
NEA, IEEPA, United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 (P.L. 102-393), Hong Kong Human Rights and
Democracy Act of 2019 (HKHRDA, P.L. 116-76), and Hong Kong Autonomy Act of 2020 (HKAA, P.L. 116-149).
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The 117th Congress has enacted three China sanctions-related bills. The Uyghur Forced Labor
Prevention Act (UFLPA) of 2021 expands restrictions for importation into the United States of
goods, wares, articles, and merchandise produced in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
(XUAR), among other provisions.39 The FY2022 NDAA includes further provisions related to
forced labor in XUAR among other China-related provisions.40 While not directly related to
sanctions, provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 also require federal
reporting on the impact of forced labor in China on the electric vehicle supply chain.41
Some Members of the 117th Congress have also introduced measures seeking to expand existing
restrictions on China, to direct sanctions determinations on specific targets in China under
existing authorities, or to establish entirely new sanctions authorities on China in relations to
certain behaviors or policies (see Table B-3). For example, multiple bills focus on investigating
China’s support for Russia following its renewed invasion of Ukraine, and/or designating Chinese
actors for sanctions due to their transactions with or support for Russia.42 A large portion of other
pending legislation that could trigger sanctions on China allege that China might have had a
nefarious role in the initial spread of COVID-19.43 Such legislation requires an investigation into
the source of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the imposition of sanctions on the Chinese
Government if it is determined to be responsible—through negligence or deliberate action—for
the spread of COVID-19. Some provisions also would authorize the President to place restrictions
on foreign countries or nationals facilitating the operation of wildlife markets, one suspected
source of virus outbreaks.
Cuba
The United States has imposed sanctions on Cuba in multiple forms, including a full embargo,
since the early 1960s.44 Sanctions remain a central component of U.S. policy toward Cuba,
though disagreement exists among U.S. policymakers on whether continued restrictions on Cuba
or renewed engagement with Cuba represents a better long-term U.S. policy strategy.45 The
United States currently imposes extensive restrictions on Cuba due to its designation as a state

39 P.L. 117-78 §5(a). As stated by the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection, UFLPA
establishes the presumption that “any goods, wares, articles, and merchandise mined, produced, or manufactured
wholly or in part in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China, or produced by
certain entities, is prohibited by Section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930 and that such goods, wares, articles, and
merchandise are not entitled to entry to the United States.” This indicates that goods produced in XUAR are subject to
the presumption that they are produced using forced labor, and subject to restrictions on their importation into the
United States.
40 See Table A-2 for a more detailed description of such provisions. U.S. law already prohibits the importation of
goods that are produced using forced labor through section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (P.L. 71-361, 19
U.S.C. §1307); see also CRS Report R46631, Section 307 and U.S. Imports of Products of Forced Labor: Overview
and Issues for Congress. The UFLPA establishes the presumption that “the importation of any goods, wares, articles,
and merchandise mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of
the People’s Republic of China, or produced by certain entities, is prohibited by Section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930
and that such goods, wares, articles, and merchandise are not entitled to entry to the United States.”
41 Section 40436 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (P.L. 117-58).
42 For example: S. 3877, Crippling Unhinged Russian Belligerence and Chinese Involvement in Putin’s Schemes
(CURB CIPS) Act of 2022; H.R. 7314, Assessing Xi’s Interference and Subversion Act (AXIS) Act; and S. 4620,
Countering Communist China’s Financing of Russia’s War on Ukraine Act.
43 See Table B-3 for selected examples.
44 See CRS Report R47246, Cuba: U.S. Policy in the 117th Congress, and CRS Report R43888, Cuba Sanctions:
Legislative Restrictions Limiting the Normalization of Relations for further discussion of U.S. policy toward Cuba.
45 Ibid.
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sponsor of acts of international terrorism.46 These restrictions include a prohibition on most
foreign aid, a prohibition on arms sales, and strict export controls, among others.47 Restrictions
imposed on Cuba under other sanctions laws may overlap with the state sponsor of terror
sanctions or be additional, including
 a prohibition on most financial transactions with Cuba;
 a block on Cuban government assets in the United States;
 a requirement that all exports to Cuba be licensed or authorized by the
Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security; and
 a prohibition on transactions with restricted individuals and entities that are
controlled by the Cuban military, intelligence, or security services.48
Several bills related to U.S. sanctions on Cuba have been introduced in the 117th Congress,
primarily during the first session. Roughly half of the proposed measures call for continuing or
expanding existing restrictions, while the other half propose lifting restrictions to varying degrees
(Table B-4). Proposed sanctions legislation regarding Cuba includes allegations of continued
human rights abuses by the Cuban government, and of Cuba’s involvement in suspected attacks
of an unknown nature against U.S. government personnel.49 Some proposed legislation seeks to
lift sanctions restrictions on Cuba and includes provisions asserting that normalized U.S.-Cuba
economic relations and engagement represent a more effective means to promote human rights
and democratic rule in the country.50
Afghanistan
The 117th Congress remains engaged in issues related to U.S. sanctions on the Taliban and the
Haqqani Network. Some Members have introduced multiple bills related to U.S. policy in
Afghanistan, including sanctions, following the Taliban’s August 2021 takeover of the country
(see Table B-5). The Taliban and Haqqani Network were each designated as supporters of
international terrorism prior to 2021, and remained so designated after taking control of
Afghanistan.51 The majority of bills related to Afghanistan sanctions introduced in the 117th
Congress seek to expand sanctions restrictions on the Taliban and/or the Haqqani Network.52
Multiple proposed bills seek to prevent the official recognition of the Taliban as the government

46 For a description of restrictions imposed due to designation as a state sponsor of terror, see CRS Report R43835,
State Sponsors of Acts of International Terrorism—Legislative Parameters: In Brief.
47 See CRS Report R43835, State Sponsors of Acts of International Terrorism—Legislative Parameters: In Brief.
48 The United States also restricts lodging at accommodations in Cuba at a property that is owned or controlled by the
Cuban government, and sanctions Cuban persons determined to be responsible for human rights abuses; see CRS
Report R47246, Cuba: U.S. Policy in the 117th Congress.
49 Section 2 of the Denying Earnings to the Military Oligarchy in Cuba and Restricting Activities of the Cuban
Intelligence Apparatus (DEMOCRACIA) Act of 2021 (S. 2990 and H.R. 5557); and Section 2 of the Havana Syndrome
Attacks Response Act of 2021 (H.R. 4914).
50 Section 2 of the United States-Cuba Relations Normalization Act of 2021 (H.R. 3625); and Section 2 of the United
States-Cuba Trade Act of 2021 (S. 249).
51 See CRS In Focus IF12039, Afghanistan: Humanitarian Crisis, Economic Collapse, and U.S. Sanctions. The Taliban
and the Haqqani Network are designated, respectively, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) and a
Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). The authority for these designations is derived from Executive Order 13224 of
September 25, 2001, “Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To
Commit, or Support Terrorism,” 66 Federal Register 49079, and Section 212 (a)(3)(B) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act of 1952, as amended (INA; P.L. 82-414, 8 U.S.C. §1182(a)(3)(B)).
52 See selected examples in Table B-5.
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of Afghanistan or express a sense of Congress that such recognition not be the policy of the
United States.53
Burma
The United States has used sanctions as a component of its policy toward Burma beginning with
its period of military rule from 1962 to 2011.54 More recently, the United States has imposed
sanctions on Burmese actors in relation to human rights abuse and to its February 2021 military
coup.55 Some Members of the 117th Congress have introduced multiple measures related to
sanctions on Burma, largely in response to the coup d’état during which Burma’s ruling party, the
National League for Democracy, was deposed by the Tatmadaw, Burma’s armed forces.56
Introduced versions in the Senate and House of the Burma Unified through Rigorous Military
Accountability (BURMA) Act of 2021 seek to support a transition to democracy and national
reconciliation in Burma, in part by directing the President to impose sanctions against
government officials in Burma for acts of human rights abuse or corruption, pursuant to the
Global Magnitsky Act,57 and on certain military-owned enterprises in Burma pursuant to the
Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2008.58
Transnational Issues
In addition to legislation focusing on specific countries or regions, some Members of the 117th
Congress have introduced legislation related to sanctions that target objectionable behaviors such
as terrorism or human rights abuse, respond to new challenges facing the enforcement of
sanctions such as digital currencies, or seek to use sanctions in ways they have not previously
been applied—for example as a means to deter greenhouse gas emissions (see Appendix C).59
Existing or proposed sanctions authorities focusing on these issues may target not only foreign
country or government entities and officials, but also sub-state and non-state actors and entities,
and private individuals and entities. Sanctions related to certain transnational issues and
objectionable behaviors may overlap with country-specific sanctions authorities.
Human Rights and Corruption
Of the more than 350 sanctions measures introduced by Members of the 117th Congress to date
more than 80 address human rights abuse or corruption (Table C-1). These measures seek to
apply sanctions related to human rights abuse and corruption in specific countries, and in
response to certain behaviors that occur globally.60 Some measures further seek to address malign

53 For example, the Preventing the Recognition of Terrorist States Act of 2021 (S. 2745, H.R. 5333), and the Taliban
Recognition Prevention Act of 2021 (H.R. 5272).
54 See CRS Report R44570, U.S. Restrictions on Relations with Burma.
55 Ibid.; Executive Order 14014 of February 10, 2021, “Blocking Property With Respect to the Situation in Burma,” 86
Federal Register 9429.
56 For further information, see CRS Report R46792, Coup in Burma: Implications for Congress.
57 Ibid. §104; see also CRS Report R46981, The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act: Scope,
Implementation, and Considerations for Congress.
58 Ibid.; P.L. 108-159, 22 U.S.C. 2656 note.
59 For example, the Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2021 (H.R. 3245 and S. 1405).
60 See Table C-1. Of the legislation seeking to establish sanctions authority or modify existing sanctions authority in
relation to alleged human rights abuse or corruption in a specific foreign country or region, a substantial portion
address conditions in countries discussed above, including China, Russia, Iran, Cuba, Afghanistan, or Burma. Other
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behaviors not included in current sanctions authorities by amending existing sanctions programs
related to human rights abuse or corruption. Enacted provisions related to human rights sanctions
during the 117th Congress are in the RENACER Act of 2021; the Haiti Development,
Accountability, and Institutional Transparency Initiative Act of 2021;61 and the Global Magnitsky
Human Rights Accountability Reauthorization Act.62
Relevant pending legislation includes provisions that seek to expand the scope of existing
sanctions authorities related to human rights abuse and corruption to include new or more
specifically defined behaviors. Such legislation would apply Global Magnitsky sanctions to
individuals or entities determined to engage in the trafficking of persons,63 human rights abuse
against workers, or actions that threaten to worsen the impact of climate change.64 Multiple
pending bills would also direct the President to determine whether acts of corruption related to
specific geopolitical events merit designation of associated individuals and entities under Global
Magnitsky authorities.65
Other bills introduced during the 117th Congress seek to establish new sanctions authorities
related to human rights, foreign policy priorities, or objectionable behaviors not specifically
identified under existing human rights sanctions authorities. For example, multiple bills seek to
require the imposition of sanctions on persons determined to have engaged in human rights abuse
related to LGBTQI rights.66 Some proposed bills also include provisions that may establish new
sanctions authority to deter abuses of human rights related to freedom of the press and
journalism.67
Terrorism/Counterterrorism
The United States has frequently used sanctions as a foreign policy tool in its efforts to counter or
deter acts of international terrorism, especially in the years following the terrorist attacks of
September 11, 2001.68 Some Members of the 117th Congress have introduced more than 20 bills

legislation includes provisions related to human rights abuse and corruption, and the use of sanctions as a tool to
address them, in Cambodia, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, Lebanon, Libya, Mexico, Nicaragua, North Korea, Saudi
Arabia, Sudan, Turkey, and Vietnam. In multiple instances, these bills direct that sanctions related to human rights
abuse or corruption be imposed in these countries pursuant to the Global Magnitsky Act.
61 As included in Division V of the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (P.L. 117-103 §§102-110).
62 As included in Section 6(a) of the Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act of 2022 (P.L.
117-110).
63 The Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2021 (H.R. 5150
§301).
64 For example, through Section 105 of the Global Labor Support Act of 2021 (S. 2104) and Section 6 of the Targeting
Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2021 (S. 1405, H.R. 2345).
65 For example, Section 2(e) of the Counter-Kleptocracy Act of 2021 (H.R. 5209) directs the Secretary of State in
coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury to evaluate whether foreign persons have engaged in sanctionable
behavior in relation to the planning or construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, among other provisions.
66 Provisions directing that human rights abuse against persons that are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, &
Intersex (LGBTQI) is included, for example, in the GLOBE Act of 2021 (S. 1996, H.R. 3800), and the Global Respect
Act of 2021 (S. 2277, H.R. 3485).
67 For example, the Jamal Khashoggi Press Freedom Accountability Act of 2021 (S. 225, H.R. 839).
68 For example, as of October, 2022, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designates
more than 1,500 individuals and entities as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) on the Specially
Designated Nationals list (Office of Foreign Assets Control, Sanctions List Search,
https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov/). SDGT designation is made pursuant to Executive Order 13224 of September
23, 2001, “Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or
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and joint resolutions pertaining partially or wholly to U.S. foreign policy on terrorism and
counterterrorism that include sanctions provisions (Table C-2). Some relate to amending the
processes by which existing terrorism sanctions programs are implemented. Others, like those
discussed above regarding Iran and Afghanistan, relate to terrorism or terrorist entities and actors
in those countries.
Multiple bills introduced in the 117th Congress seek to expand existing U.S. sanctions authorities
related to terrorism, such as by granting the President the authority to prohibit U.S. persons from
providing social media services to terrorism designees.69 Others contain provisions seeking to
curb activities by financial institutions that benefit sanctions designees.70 Some Members of the
117th Congress also have introduced bills to deter acts of terrorism in Lebanon, the West Bank and
the Gaza Strip, Yemen, and in the Middle East Region generally. Some seek to require that the
President designate individuals or entities under existing sanctions authorities related to acts of
international terrorism.71 Others seek to strengthen existing sanctions related to terrorist groups in
foreign countries or regions by directing that foreign persons and agencies supporting such
terrorist groups also be subject to U.S. sanctions.72
Sanctions Implementation and Agencies Administering
U.S. Sanctions
Congress has enacted legislation that revises internal structures of U.S. agencies with
responsibilities to implement sanctions,73 and may appropriate funds based on the perceived
needs of these agencies. In the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act,
2022, for example, Congress appropriated funds to the Department of the Treasury’s Office of
Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at higher levels than those appropriated for FY2021.74
Congress’s role in enacting such increases in appropriations for agencies tasked with prominent
roles in sanctions implementation may have both short-term and long-term effects on the U.S.
government’s capacity to implement and enforce sanctions.
FY2022 appropriations also may demonstrate Congress’s use of funding allocation to address
evolving challenges and priorities related to sanctions implementation. For instance, $80,000,000
is made available for the Department of the Treasury’s Cybersecurity Enhancement Account,
compared with $18,000,000 for FY2021.75 Funding increases of this degree may affect

Support Terrorism,” 66 Federal Register 49079.
69 For example, Section 3 of the No Social Media Accounts for Terrorists or State Sponsors of Terrorism Act of 2021
(H.R. 1543).
70 Such as the Taylor Force Martyr Payment Prevention Act of 2022 (S. 3318, H.R. 7824).
71 For example, Section 3 of the Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act of 2021 (H.R. 3965), and Section 3 of the
Sanctioning Iranian-Backed Militia Terrorists Act (H.R. 2113).
72 Such as Sections 4-7 of the Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2021 (S. 1904, H.R. 3685).
73 For example, Congress reestablished a State Department Office of Sanctions Coordination as part of the
Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Section 361 of Division FF, Title III, Subtitle G of P.L. 116-
260).
74 The Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2022 (Division E, Title I of P.L. 117-103,
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022), makes available $195,192,000 for the Office of Terrorism and Financial
Intelligence, a base level increase of $20,192,000, or nearly 12% over FY2021 base appropriations. The 2022 act also
makes available until September 30, 2023, an additional $25,000,000 for that office to respond to the situation in
Ukraine and for related expenses.
75 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2022 (Division E, Title I of P.L. 117-103,
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022); Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2021
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substantive changes in the department’s ability to address the challenges posed by cybersecurity
and digital currencies, described as a potential priority in the Department of the Treasury’s 2021
Sanctions Review.76
Congress also maintains an active role in requiring oversight of sanctions implementation,
including through requirements that the President report on the implementation of sanctions
programs and the national emergencies that give rise to using sanctions. Congress may
simultaneously enact legislation that authorizes new sanctions and require reports on the
implementation of those sanctions, or require reports related to existing sanctions programs. More
than half of the legislation related to sanctions introduced in the 117th Congress included some
manner of reporting requirement. Enacted appropriations legislation for FY2022 includes a new
provision requiring the Director of National Intelligence to report on the effects of U.S.
sanctions.77 This report is required to include analysis of whether U.S. sanctions have been
effective in altering the behaviors or policies for which they were imposed, including through
case studies.78
Congressional Issues
When considering sanctions legislation, Members may take into account a number of intersecting
policy issues, including the efficacy of sanctions as a foreign policy tool, oversight of sanctions
implementation, and the appropriate roles of Congress and the executive branch in establishing
sanctions policy.
Role of Sanctions in U.S. Foreign Policy
Numerous Members have introduced bills providing for the use of sanctions during the 117th
Congress. U.S. government agencies that administer sanctions have described them as a “tool of
first resort,” especially following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and observers have
documented that the use of sanctions in U.S. foreign policy is increasing.79 In this context,
increased attention has been placed on the longstanding debate of how the United States can use
sanctions most effectively, and what their role in U.S. foreign policy should be. Many observers
contend that sanctions are most effective when applied in concert with broader foreign policy
strategies and tools.80 Such assertions may be put forth in the context of questions on whether a
U.S. sanctions program is contributing to the desired change in behavior or to the achievement of
U.S. foreign policy aims.81

(Division E, Title I of P.L. 116-260, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021); Additional Ukraine Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 2022 (P.L. 117-128).
76 U.S. Department of the Treasury, 2021 Sanctions Review, October, 2021, at https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/
136/Treasury-2021-sanctions-review.pdf.
77 Section 717 of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Division X of P.L. 117-103).
78 See Table A-3 for further detail.
79 U.S. Department of the Treasury, 2021 Sanctions Review, October, 2021, at https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/
136/Treasury-2021-sanctions-review.pdf; the Government Accountability Office (GAO), “Economic Sanctions:
Treasury and State Have Received Increased Resources for Sanctions Implementation but Face Hiring Challenges,”
GAO-20-324, March 2020.
80 U.S. Department of the Treasury, 2021 Sanctions Review, October, 2021; Gary Clyde Hufbauer et al., Economic
Sanctions Reconsidered, 3rd Edition, Peterson Institute for International Economics, 2009.
81 Dursun Peksen, “When Do Economic Sanctions Work Best?,” Center for a New American Security, June 10, 2019,
at https://www.cnas.org/publications/commentary/when-do-economic-sanctions-work-best; Jonathan Masters, “What
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Congress has multiple methods at its disposal to not only authorize, require, or prohibit the
imposition of sanctions, but also to clarify what broader foreign policy and national security
strategies or objectives that sanctions should serve. Some Members of the 117th Congress have,
however, in multiple instances introduced legislation that authorizes the use of sanctions but
makes no further statement about sanctions’ role within broader U.S. foreign policy strategy, or
what other tools such as diplomacy, foreign aid, economic and trade policy, or military force may
be used in concert with sanctions to maximize their effectiveness. In enacting legislation to
authorize the use of sanctions, Congress may consider including findings, statements of policy, or
requirements for congressional oversight that help to clarify how the proposed sanctions form a
coherent part of U.S. foreign policy, and what that policy should be.
Roles of Congress and the Executive Branch
Existing legislation empowers the President to impose sanctions through executive order by
invoking emergency authorities, without additional congressional action.82 In many instances,
Members of the 117th Congress have introduced legislation that directs the President to consider
sanctions targets under the criteria of sanctions programs that have been implemented through
emergency authorities. Authorizing sanctions in this manner may allow the President to impose
sanctions quickly in response to changing circumstances, but may also limit Congress’s ability to
engage in oversight on the use of those sanctions. Congress may consider, when introducing
legislation, how reliance on emergency authorities may affect its ability to clarify the set of
foreign policy priorities surrounding the decision to impose sanctions. It may also consider
whether to introduce legislation that establishes Congress’s foreign policy priorities and strategies
with respect to the use of sanction, even in instances where the President has already
implemented sanctions by executive order. Such actions may take the form of
 codifying into law sanctions authorities issued by executive order, and concurring
with, dissenting with, or modifying the stated policy priorities under which the
President authorized such sanctions;
 enacting requirements for the President to report to Congress on the use of
sanctions and requiring assessments of their impact, efficacy, or sustainability;83
 enacting legislation that sets the conditions by which sanctions designations may
be waived or subject to exemptions; or
 modifying the funding, structure, or oversight mechanisms of executive agencies
that administer U.S. sanctions.
Congress also may enact legislation creating sanctions authorities in instances where the
President has not yet done so, or declines to do so.

Are Economic Sanctions?,” Council on Foreign Relations, August 12, 2019, at https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/
what-are-economic-sanctions; Brett Schaefer, “A User’s Guide To Economic Sanctions,” The Heritage Foundation,
June 25, 1997, at https://www.heritage.org/international-economies/report/users-guide-economic-sanctions.
82 See CRS Report R45618, The International Emergency Economic Powers Act: Origins, Evolution, and Use.
83 Senators on the Senate Committee for Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs repeatedly questioned Deputy Secretary
of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo on why the Treasury Department’s 2021 Sanctions Review did not include
assessments of the efficacy of specific sanctions programs in achieving their goals. United States Senate Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, full committee hearing, “International Policy Update: The Treasury
Department’s Sanctions Policy Review and Other Issues,” October 19, 2021.
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Selected Oversight and Implementation Issues
Oversight and Reporting Requirements
Legislation introduced by Members of the 117th Congress contains a wide range of oversight
provisions related to the imposition of U.S. sanctions—some requiring extensive reporting from
the executive branch on the implementation of proposed sanctions alongside other oversight
requirements, and some requiring no reporting or oversight. In certain instances, Members may
view extensive oversight as an impediment to flexible implementation of sanctions. For example,
as in the case of Russia’s renewed invasion of Ukraine beginning February 24, 2022, geopolitical
events to which the United States responds by using sanctions may change rapidly, and may
require nimble imposition of, exemptions to, or even removal of restrictions, depending on how
political situations or diplomatic negotiations evolve. In other instances, Members may view
oversight as necessary as a means to constrain executive action on sanctions and ensure that
sanctions continue to serve U.S. foreign policy and national security interests. In exercising its
role with respect to U.S. sanctions, Congress may weigh the comparative need for flexibility in
imposing sanctions with the need for it to exercise its constitutionally endowed authority to
engage in oversight of the executive branch.
Sanctions Waivers, Exemptions, and Removals
Sanctions legislation introduced by in the 117th Congress provides for varying flexibility for the
President to waive sanctions on the basis of certain national interests, to exempt activities or
sectors from sanctions, or to remove sanctions if certain conditions are met. Some legislation
even seeks to revoke waivers or exemptions issued by the President, or to limit the President’s
ability to do so in the future. Some observers, including members of the current presidential
Administration, contend that sanctions should be reversible where possible, or that sanctions
authorities should provide flexibility for the President to waive sanctions.84 In certain instances,
however, Congress has enacted legislation that directs the President to impose sanctions in a
manner that limits his or her flexibility to waive or remove sanctions restrictions.85
Members of Congress may consider when introducing sanctions legislation whether enhanced or
restricted executive flexibility to impose, exempt, waive, or remove sanctions best serves the
broader foreign policy objectives they seek to achieve through sanctions. This may include
factors such as
 what manner of national interests should be considered when waiving sanctions,
and what notification requirements might be included to ensure those interests
are served;

84 U.S. Department of the Treasury, 2021 Sanctions Review, October, 2021; Richard N. Haass, “Economic Sanctions:
Too Much of a Bad Thing,” The Brookings Institution, June 1, 1998, at https://www.brookings.edu/research/economic-
sanctions-too-much-of-a-bad-thing/.
85 For example, the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA; P.L. 115-44) was signed
into law on August 2, 2017, after passing the House and Senate with veto-proof majorities. The act mandates a variety
of sanctions, reporting requirements, and criteria for waivers, exemptions, or removals of sanctions; see CRS In Focus
IF10805, Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATS Act) Deadlines, Time Frames, and Start
Dates. In signing the act, President Trump disputed some provisions of CAATSA, saying they encroached on executive
power (Administration of Donald J. Trump, “Statement on Signing the Countering America’s Adversaries Through
Sanctions Act,” August 2, 2017).
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 what manner of exemptions may maximize sanctions’ efficacy, and how those
exemptions conform to broader U.S. foreign policy and national security
strategy; and
 what criteria should be considered when removing sanctions, and if or how
Congress should be notified regarding proposed removals.
Constitutional Role of Congress
As described in previous sections, the 117th Congress has leveraged Congress’s constitutionally
endowed “power of the purse” to exert influence on the policies and practices of executive
agencies implementing U.S. sanctions. Such legislation includes, for example, the Department of
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2022, and the
Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2022, which
include provisions requiring executive reporting on sanctions administration, as well as
appropriations for executive agencies that implement sanctions and sanctions enforcement.
Members of Congress may consider how to leverage future appropriations legislation to maintain
an active role in the administration of U.S. sanctions programs and policy.
Some elements of legislation introduced in the 117th Congress include provisions that seek to
prevent recognition of foreign governments by the United States or seek to require sanctions on
specific individuals or entities. Such provisions may send a message regarding Congress’s view
of how sanctions should further U.S. foreign policy and national security priorities, but may also
be subject to legal challenges. For example, Article II of the Constitution has been interpreted as
granting the President the power to recognize foreign governments,86 nominate U.S. ambassadors
to foreign countries,87 and receive foreign ambassadors into the United States.88 Efforts by some
Members of Congress to enact legislation that would require the President to make
determinations on the aforementioned functions may face judicial challenge. Similarly, Article I,
Section 9, Clause 3 of the Constitution states, “No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be
passed.” The Supreme Court has described a bill of attainder as “a law that legislatively
determines guilt and inflicts punishment upon an identifiable individual without provision of the
protections of a judicial trial.”89 Previous interpretations of this clause may indicate that
congressional efforts to enact legislation mandating that sanctions be imposed on a named
individual or entity might be subject to legal challenge under the Bill of Attainder Clause, though
it is not clear that such a challenge would be successful.90 Members of Congress may, therefore,
consider the potential for such challenges when introducing legislation that seeks to require the
President to sanction named individuals or entities.

86 Zivotofsky v. Kerry, 576 U.S. 1, 7-9 (2015).
87 U.S. Const. art. II, §2.
88 U.S. Const. art. II, §3.
89 Nixon v. Administrator of General Services et al., 433 U.S. 425 (1977).
90 The Bill of Attainder Clause was recently the subject of a lawsuit by Huawei filed against the United States; see CRS
Legal Sidebar LSB10274, Huawei v. United States: The Bill of Attainder Clause and Huawei’s Lawsuit Against the
United States. Previous case precedents on the Bill of Attainder Clause have focused on whether the action required by
legislation constituted a “punishment.”
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Appendix A. Enacted Legislation with Sanctions
Provisions: A Selected Summary
Table A-1. Enacted Legislation Related to U.S. Sanctions
Introduced in the 117th Congress
Date
P.L.
Title/Intent
Introduced
Became Law
P.L. 117-110
Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and
3/17/2022
4/8/2022
Belarus Act
P.L. 117-109
Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act
3/8/2022
4/8/2022
P.L. 117-78
To ensure that goods made with forced labor in the
12/14/2021
12/23/2021
Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People’s
Republic of China do not enter the United States market,
and for other purposes.
P.L. 117-51
To amend the Fentanyl Sanctions Act, to modify certain
8/6/2021
10/19/2021
deadlines relating to the Commission on Combating
Synthetic Opioid Trafficking.
P.L. 117-103
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (see Table A-3)
4/13/2021
3/15/2022
P.L. 117-81
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022
5/13/2021
12/27/2021
(see Table A-2)
P.L. 117-54
Reinforcing Nicaragua’s Adherence to Conditions for
3/25/2021
11/10/2021
Electoral Reform (RENACER) Act of 2021
Source: Congress.gov.
Table A-2. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022
Selected Provisions Relating Directly or Indirectly to U.S. Sanctions
Provisions Creating New Restrictions or Maintaining Existing Restrictions
Section
Provision Summary
§6106
A provision seeking to improve U.S. efforts to counter il icit finance by amending Section
6214(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (P.L. 116-283,
div. F, title LXI) to expand the scope of the work performed by the Supervisory Team
on Countering Il icit Finance, and by amending Section 9714 of the Combating Russian
Money Laundering Act of 2021 (P.L. 116-283 title XCVII, subtitle B) to include provisions
related to the handling of classified information, penalties for violations of the act, and
injunctions by the Secretary of the Treasury.
§735(a)
A prohibition on the use of funds authorized by the NDAA for fiscal year 2022 to fund
any work to be performed by the Chinese entity EcoHealth Alliance, Inc. on research
supported by the government of China.
§802
A prohibition on the acquisition of personal protective equipment for preventing the
spread of disease from “non-allied foreign nations,” to include the Democratic People’s
Republic of North Korea, the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, and
the Islamic Republic of Iran.
§848
A prohibition on procuring any products mined, produced, or manufactured whol y or in
part using forced labor, or from an entity that has used labor from within the Xinjiang
Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR).
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Provisions Creating New Restrictions or Maintaining Existing Restrictions
§§1213-1214
Prohibitions on the transfer of Department of Defense (DoD) funds or resources to the
Taliban, or the use of DoD aircraft to transport currency to the Taliban or the Islamic
Emirate of Afghanistan.
§1225
A prohibition on the transfer of funds authorized by the NDAA for fiscal year 2022 to
the Badr Organization.
§1226
A prohibition on the transfer of funds authorized by the NDAA for fiscal year 2022 to
the government of Iran or any subsidiary of the government of Iran or agent or
instrumentality of Iran.
§1234
A prohibition on the availability of funds authorized by the NDAA for fiscal year 2022
for any activity that recognizes the sovereignty of the Russian Federal over Crimea.
§1339
An extension of a prohibition set forth in Section 1273(a) of the NDAA for fiscal year
2020 (P.L. 116-92, title XII, subtitle G) on provision of in-flight refueling to non-U.S.
aircraft that engage in hostilities in the ongoing civil war in Yemen.
Provisions Creating New Reporting Requirements or Maintaining Existing Reporting Requirements
Section
Provision Summary
§1222(b)(11)
A required report relating to the U.S. defense and diplomatic strategy for Syria that
includes an assessment of the progress made toward meeting the criteria specified in the
Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 (P.L. 116-92, the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, div. F, title LXXIV of) in order to suspend
sanctions against the Assad regime.
§125(a)(2)(A)
A required report relating to the military capabilities of Iran that includes: an assessment
of the impact that unilateral revocation of U.S. economic sanctions would have on the
military capabilities of Iranian military entities and Iran-backed groups; and an assessment
of the United Nations arms embargo, and its impact on Iran’s ability to supply, sell, or
transfer arms or related materiel while the embargo was in effect.
§6508(b)(2)(G)
A required report relating to U.S. policy toward South Sudan that includes analysis of the
impact of U.S. and international sanctions on deterring corruption, mitigating and
reducing conflict, and holding accountable those responsible for human rights abuse.
§6509(b)(4)
A required report relating to U.S. strategy for engagement with Southeast Asia and the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that includes a summary of initiatives
across the U.S. government to enhance the capacity of Southeast Asian nations to
enforce international law and multilateral sanctions, and initiatives to cooperate with
ASEAN on these issues.
§6510(b)(2)
A required briefing relating to support for democracy in Burma that includes an
assessment of the impact of U.S. and international sanctions—and a description of
potential additional sanctions—in securing U.S. foreign policy goals with respect to
Burma.
Source: P.L. 117-81, which became law on December 27, 2021.
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U.S. Sanctions: Legislation in the 117th Congress

Table A-3. The Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2022
Selected Provisions Relating Directly or Indirectly to U.S. Sanctions
Provisions Creating New Restrictions or Maintaining Existing Restrictions
Section
Provision Summary
Section 7031(c) of
Reenactment of the human rights and corruption provisions of Section 7031(c), which
Division K, the
directs the Secretary of State to restrict entry into the United States of persons
Department of State,
determined to be involved in significant corruption or a gross violation of human rights.
Foreign Operations,
and Related Programs
Appropriations Act,
2022
Sections 7041-7046 of
A set of requirements, also included in appropriations acts for previous fiscal years, that
Division K, the
none of the funds appropriated by the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and
Department of State,
Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2022 (Division K of P.L. 117-103), be made
Foreign Operations,
available to the governments of certain countries, unless the Secretary of State certifies
and Related Programs
to Congress that specific requirements are met. Such requirements—which may vary
Appropriations Act,
depending on U.S. foreign policy priorities and political events within the referenced
2022
country—apply to assistance to the governments of countries, including Afghanistan,
Burma, Cambodia, Colombia, Egypt, El Salvador, Georgia, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras,
Lebanon, Pakistan, the Peoples’ Republic of China, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka,
Sudan, Turkey, and Zimbabwe.
Section 7047(b) of
A restriction on aid to any government that has taken affirmative steps intended to
Division K, the
support Russia’s annexation of Crimea or any other territory of Ukraine, or that has
Department of State,
established diplomatic relations with or recognizes the independence of the Russian-
Foreign Operations,
occupied territories of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia.
and Related Programs
Appropriations Act,
2022
Section 7043(e) of
A restriction, also included in appropriations acts for previous fiscal years, on the use of
Division K, the
funds appropriated by the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related
Department of State,
Programs Appropriations Act for assistance to the central government of any country
Foreign Operations,
determined to have materially contributed to the malicious cyber activities and
and Related Programs
capabilities of the Government of North Korea.
Appropriations Act,
2022
Section 7047(a) of
A prohibition on any of the funds appropriated by the Department of State, Foreign
Division K, the
Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act being made available to the
Department of State,
central government of the Russian Federation.
Foreign Operations,
and Related Programs
Appropriations Act,
2022
Section 7007 of
A prohibition, also included in appropriations acts for previous fiscal years, on funds
Division K, the
appropriated pursuant to Titles III through VI of the Department of State, Foreign
Department of State,
Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act being made available for direct
Foreign Operations,
finance or assistance to the governments of Cuba, North Korea, Iran, or Syria.
and Related Programs
Appropriations Act,
2022
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U.S. Sanctions: Legislation in the 117th Congress

Provisions Creating New Restrictions or Maintaining Existing Restrictions
Section 7008 of
A prohibition, also included in appropriations acts for previous fiscal years, on funds
Division K, the
appropriated pursuant to Titles III through VI of the Department of State, Foreign
Department of State,
Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act being made available to the
Foreign Operations,
government of any country whose duly elected head of government is deposed by a
and Related Programs
military coup d’etat.
Appropriations Act,
2022
Section 7041(j) of
A restriction, also included in appropriations acts for previous fiscal years, on funds for
Division K, the
nonlethal stabilization assistance for Syria prohibiting their use for projects that support
Department of State,
or otherwise legitimize the government of Iran.
Foreign Operations,
and Related Programs
Appropriations Act,
2022
Sections 101-108 of
The Haiti Development, Accountability, and Institutional Transparency Initiative Act of
Division V, the Haiti
2022, initially introduced through H.R. 2471 and S. 1104 and included in the
Development,
Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2022 in Division V. As part of the act’s
Accountability, and
stated support for efforts to promote human rights and anticorruption policies, it directs
Institutional
enforcement of sanctions imposed in accordance with the Global Magnitsky Human
Transparency Initiative Rights Accountability Act.
Act
Provisions Creating New Reporting Requirements or Reenacting Previous Reporting Requirements
Section
Provision Summary
Section 7041(b)(2) of
A requirement, also included in appropriations acts for previous fiscal years, for the
Division K, the
Secretary of State to submit a semi-annual report to Congress as required by Section
Department of State,
135(d)(4) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2160e(d)(4)), as added by Section
Foreign Operations,
2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 (P.L. 114-17).
and Related Programs
Appropriations Act,
2022
Section 7041(b)(2) of
A requirement, also included in appropriations acts for previous fiscal years, for a report
Division K, the
describing the status of U.S. bilateral sanctions on Iran, the reimposition and renewed
Department of State,
enforcement of secondary sanctions, and a description of the impact such sanctions have
Foreign Operations,
had on Iran’s destabilizing activities in the Middle East.
and Related Programs
Appropriations Act,
2022
Section 708 of
A reporting requirement related to the efforts of the Chinese Communist Party to
Division X,
erode the freedom and autonomy of Hong Kong, as well as the use of forced labor
Intelligence
schemes in China’s renewable energy sector.
Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2022
Section 717 of
A requirement, not included in appropriations acts for previous fiscal years, for the
Division X,
Director of National Intelligence—in consultation with the Assistant Secretary of the
Intelligence
Treasury for Intelligence and Analysis—to report on the effects of U.S. economic
Authorization Act
sanctions. The requirement directs that the report include an assessment of whether
for Fiscal Year 2022
U.S. economic sanctions have constrained, modified, or affected the ability of designated
individuals, entities, or governments to continue the activities for which they are
sanctioned; an assessment of the effectiveness of imposing additional sanctions; and
specifically includes reporting with respect to China and Iran in the provision.
Source: P.L. 117-103, which became law on March 15, 2022.
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U.S. Sanctions: Legislation in the 117th Congress

Table A-4. The Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act
of 2022
Selected Provisions Relating Directly or Indirectly to U.S. Sanctions
Provisions Creating New Restrictions or Maintaining Existing Restrictions
Section
Provision Summary
§3
Provides that on the day after the enactment of this act, the rates of duty set forth in
column 2 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States shall apply to all
products of the Russian Federation and of the Republic of Belarus.
§4
Provides that the President is authorized to temporarily resume, for periods not to
exceed one year each, the application of the rates of duty set forth in column 1 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to the products of the Russian
Federation, the Republic of Belarus, or both, if the President submits to Congress with
respect to either or both such countries a certification under subsection (c) of this act
for each such period.
§5
Provides that the United States Trade Representative shall use the voice and influence of
the United States at the WTO to condemn the recent aggression in Ukraine, encourage
other WTO members to suspend trade concessions to the Russian Federation and the
Republic of Belarus, consider further steps with the view to suspend the Russian
Federation’s participation in the WTO, and seek to halt the accession process of the
Republic of Belarus at the WTO and cease accession-related work.
§6
Repeals the sunset provision stated in Section 1265 of the Global Magnitsky Human
Rights Accountability Act (subtitle F of title XII of P.L.114–328; 22 U.S.C. 2656 note).
Source: P.L. 117-110, which became law on April 8, 2022.
Table A-5. Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act of 2022
Selected Provisions Relating Directly or Indirectly to U.S. Sanctions
Provisions Creating New Restrictions or Maintaining Existing Restrictions
Section
Provision Summary
§2
Provides that all products of the Russian Federation classified under chapter 27 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States shall be banned from importation into
the United States.
§3
Provides that the termination of the prohibition on importation of Russian energy
products shall take effect beginning 90 calendar days after the President certifies to
Congress that the Russian Federation has reached an agreement to withdraw Russian
forces and for the cessation of military hostilities that is accepted by the free and
independent government of Ukraine, poses no immediate military threat of aggression to
any North Atlantic Treaty Organization member, and recognizes the right of the people
of Ukraine to independently and freely choose their own government.
Such a termination may not take effect if Congress enacts a joint resolution of
disapproval within the 90-day period fol owing submission of such certification.
Source: P.L. 117-109, which became law on April 8, 2022.
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U.S. Sanctions: Legislation in the 117th Congress

Appendix B. Selected Legislation Related to
Country-Specific Sanctions
Russia
Table B-1. Selected Legislation Related to Russia Sanctions
Introduced in the 117th Congress (reverse chronological order)
H.R./S.
Title/Intent
Date Introduced
H.R. 8614
Banning Oil Exports to Foreign Adversaries Act
7/29/2022
H.R. 8568
Russia is a State Sponsor of Terrorism Act
7/28/2022
S. 4651
A bil to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require the
7/28/2022
Secretary of Energy to stipulate, as a condition on the sale at auction of
any petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, that the
petroleum products not be exported to certain countries, to prohibit
such sales to certain state-owned entities, and for other purposes.
H.R. 8544
Deter PRC Support to the Russian War Effort Act
7/27/2022
S. 4620
Countering Communist China’s Financing of Russia’s War on Ukraine
7/26/2022
Act
H.R. 8459
Russian Property Theft and Occupation Act of 2022
7/21/2022
H.R. 8339
To modify the annual report on military and security developments
7/12/2022
involving the Russian Federation.
S. 4463
A bil to terminate General License No. 8C of the Office of Foreign
6/23/2022
Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury and require the
application of sanctions under Executive Order 14024 to the entities
listed in General License No. 8C.
H.R. 8156
Oligarch Assets for Ukrainian Victory Act of 2022
6/21/2022
H.R. 8120
Expanding Trade Sanctions on Russia Act
6/16/2022
H.R. 7991
Keeping Russia’s Energy and Military Liable for Invading its Neighbors
6/8/2022
(KREMLIN) Act
S. 4364
Keeping Russia’s Energy and Military Liable for Invading its Neighbors
6/8/2022
(KREMLIN) Act
H.R. 7596
Repurposing Elite Luxuries Into Emergency Funds for Ukraine Act
4/27/2022
S. 4098
A bil to prohibit nationals of the Russian Federation and Belarus from
4/27/2022
working in Department of Energy National Laboratories.
S. 4075
Kleptocrat Liability for Excessive Property Transactions and Ownership
4/7/2022
Act (KLEPTO) Act
S. 4054
A bil to terminate General License No. 8A of the Office of Foreign
4/7/2022
Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury and require the
application of sanctions under Executive Order 14024 to the Russian
financial institutions listed in General License No. 8A.
H.R. 7429
Russian Digital Asset Sanctions Compliance Act of 2022
4/6/2022
H.R. 7340
To provide for congressional oversight of certain sanctions imposed with
3/31/2022
respect to the Russian Federation.
H.R. 7338
Russia Cryptocurrency Transparency Act
3/31/2022
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U.S. Sanctions: Legislation in the 117th Congress

H.R./S.
Title/Intent
Date Introduced
H.R. 7314
Assessing Xi's Interference and Subversion Act (AXIS) Act
3/31/2022
H.R. 7311
Countering Malign Russian Activities in Africa Act
3/31/2022
S. 3936
Repurposing Elite Luxuries Into Emergency Funds for Ukraine Act
3/28/2022
H.R. 7205
Ukrainian Sovereignty Act of 2022
3/24/2022
H.R. 7187
Yachts for Ukraine Act
3/21/2022
H.R. 7163
Sanctioning Putin’s Enablers Act
3/18/2022
H.R. 7108
Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act
3/17/2022
S. 3882
Stop Top Oil Producers and Protect Ukraine from Tyrannical Invasions
3/17/2022
Now (STOP PUTIN) Act of 2022
S. 3877
Crippling Unhinged Russian Belligerence and Chinese Involvement in
3/17/2022
Putin’s Schemes (CURB CIPS) Act of 2022
S. 3867
Digital Asset Sanctions Compliance Enhancement Act of 2022
3/17/2022
H.R. 7086
Oligarch Asset Forfeiture Act
3/15/2022
H.R. 7083
Make Russia Pay Act
3/15/2022
S. 3838
Asset Seizure for Ukraine Reconstruction Act
3/15/2022
H.R. 7067
Closing Loopholes in Russia Sanctions Act of 2022
3/11/2022
H.R. 7066
Russia and Belarus Financial Sanctions Act of 2022
3/11/2022
H.R. 7014
To suspend normal trade relations treatment for the Russian Federation
3/9/2022
and the Republic of Belarus, and for other purposes.
H.R. 7012
Ukraine Assistance and American Energy Acceleration Act
3/9/2022
H.R. 6995
Russia Trade and Investment Ban Act
3/8/2022
H.R. 6968
Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act
3/8/2022
S. 3786
A bil to suspend normal trade relations treatment for the Russian
3/8/2022
Federation and the Republic of Belarus, and for other purposes.
H.R. 6960
Regaining Energy Freedom and Undeniable Security and Preserving U.S.
3/7/2022
Trade Interests Now (REFUSE PUTIN) Act
H.R. 6954
Direct Investigations on China, Take Action To Oppose Russia
3/7/2022
(DICTATOR) Act of 2022
H.R. 6953
Severing Putin's Immense Gains from Oil Transfers (SPIGOT) Act of
3/7/2022
2022
H.R. 6944
Energy Unleashing in Response to the Offenses of Putin against
3/7/2022
Europeans (EUROPE) Act
H.R. 6930
Asset Seizure for Ukraine Reconstruction Act
3/3/2022
S. 3754
Severing Putin's Immense Gains from Oil Transfers (SPIGOT) Act of
3/3/2022
2022
H.R. 6894
No Energy Revenues for Russian Hostilities Act of 2022
3/2/2022
S. 3732
Halting Enrichment of Russian Oligarchs and Industry Allies of Moscow's
3/2/2022
Schemes to Leverage its Abject Vil ainy Abroad (HEROIAM SLAVA) Act
of 2022
S. 3723
Special Russian Sanctions Authority Act of 2022
3/1/2022
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U.S. Sanctions: Legislation in the 117th Congress

H.R./S.
Title/Intent
Date Introduced
H.R. 6869
To authorize the President of the United States to issue letters of
2/28/2022
marque and reprisal for the purpose of seizing the assets of certain
Russian citizens, and for other purposes.
H.R. 6853
Russian Travel Sanctions for a Democratic Ukraine Act
2/25/2022
H.R. 6846
Corruption, Overthrowing Rule of Law, and Ruining Ukraine: Putin’s
2/25/2022
Trifecta Act
H.R. 6842
To provide for the imposition of sanctions on members of parliament of
2/25/2022
the Russian Federation who voted on February 15, 2022, in favor of the
appeal to President Vladimir Putin to recognize the regions of Donetsk
and Luhansk in southeastern Ukraine as one or more independent states.
H.R. 6821
United States-Russian Federation Seafood Reciprocity Act of 2022
2/22/2022
H.R. 6748
Midland Over Moscow Act
2/15/2022
H.R. 6742
Never Yielding Europe’s Territory (NYET) Act of 2022
2/15/2022
S. 3652
Never Yielding Europe’s Territory (NYET) Act of 2022
2/15/2022
S. 3640
Belarus Aggression Accountability Act of 2022
2/10/2022
S. 3614
United States-Russian Federation Seafood Reciprocity Act of 2022
2/9/2022
H.R. 6470
Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act of 2022
1/21/2022
H.R. 6422
Putin Accountability Act
1/19/2022
S. 3513
Deterring Authoritarian Hostilities Act of 2022
1/13/2022
S. 3488
Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act of 2022
1/12/2022
H.R. 6367
Guaranteeing Ukrainian Autonomy by Reinforcing its Defense (GUARD)
1/10/2022
Act of 2022
S. 3436
Protecting Europe's Energy Security Implementation Act
12/18/2021
S. 3353
Domestic Energy Crisis Relief Act
12/9/2021
S. 3322
CAATSA Implementation Act of 2021
12/7/2021
S. 2986
A bil to require a review of sanctions with respect to Russian
10/7/2021
kleptocrats and human rights abusers.
S. 2894
A bil to require the imposition of sanctions with respect to Nord Stream
9/29/2021
2 AG pursuant to the Countering America's Adversaries Through
Sanctions Act.
S. 2826
Restricting Taliban Critical Mineral Trade Act
9/23/2021
H.R. 3598
Protecting Our Wellbeing by Expanding Russian Sanctions (POWERS)
5/28/2021
Act
S. 1764
Protecting Our Wellbeing by Expanding Russian Sanctions (POWERS)
5/20/2021
Act
H.R. 3144
Restraining Russian Imperialism Act
5/12/2021
H.R. 2946
Reinforcing Nicaragua's Adherence to Conditions for Electoral
4/30/2021
Reform (RENACER) Act
S. 1064
Reinforcing Nicaragua's Adherence to Conditions for Electoral
3/25/2021
Reform (RENACER) Act
S. 1041
Reinforcing Nicaragua's Adherence to Conditions for Electoral
3/25/2021
Reform (RENACER) Act
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U.S. Sanctions: Legislation in the 117th Congress

H.R./S.
Title/Intent
Date Introduced
H.R. 2046
Energy Security Cooperation with Allied Partners in Europe Act of 2021
3/18/2021
S. 819
Energy Security Cooperation with Allied Partners in Europe Act of 2021
3/18/2021
S. 814
Ukraine Security Partnership Act of 2021
3/17/2021
H.R. 1223
Holding Russia Accountable for Malign Activities Act of 2021
2/23/2021
H.R. 923
To support the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the
2/8/2021
Republic of Georgia, and for other purposes.
S. 208
Holding Russia Accountable for Malign Activities Act of 2021
2/3/2021
Source: Congress.gov.
Iran
Table B-2. Selected Legislation Related to Iran Sanctions
Introduced in the 117th Congress (reverse chronological order)
H.R./S.
Title/Intent
Date Introduced
S. 4746
Solidify Iran Sanctions Act of 2022
8/2/2022
S. 4290
Iran China Accountability Act
5/24/2022
H.R. 7635
Iranian Nuclear and Venezuelan Energy, Sanctions and Terrorism
4/28/2022
Investigation Government Accountability Report (INVESTIGAR) Act
H.R. 7490
Investigating Russian Ambitions in Nuclear Negotiations (IRAN)
4/11/2022
Negotiations Act
H.R. 7402
No U.S. Financing for Iran Act of 2022
4/5/2022
H.R. 7330
Keeping Israel Safe from Iranian Proxies Act
3/31/2022
H.R. 7159
To terminate certain waivers of sanctions with respect to Iran issued in
3/18/2022
connection with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and for other
purposes.
S. 3857
A bil to terminate certain waivers of sanctions with respect to Iran
3/16/2022
issued in connection with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and
for other purposes.
H.R. 7063
Restoring Maximum Pressure on Iranian Terrorists Act
3/11/2022
S. 3798
Preempting Misguided Appeasement and Financing of Destabilizing
3/10/2022
Regimes Act of 2022
S. 3421
Stop Iranian Drones Act of 2021
12/16/2021
S. 3347
Masih Alinejad Harassment and Unlawful Targeting (HUNT) Act of 2021
12/8/2021
H.R. 6089
Stop Iranian Drones Act
11/30/2021
S. 3075
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
10/26/2021
Appropriations Act, 2022
H.R. 5677
To make technical amendments to update statutory references to certain
10/22/2021
provisions classified to title 2, United States Code, title 50, United States
Code, and title 52, United States Code.
H.R. 5333
Preventing the Recognition of Terrorist States Act of 2021
9/22/2021
S. 2781
No Harbor for Terror Act
9/21/2021
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U.S. Sanctions: Legislation in the 117th Congress

H.R./S.
Title/Intent
Date Introduced
S. 2745
Preventing the Recognition of Terrorist States Act of 2021
9/14/2021
H.R. 4592
Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act of 2021
7/21/2021
S. 2374
A bil to impose sanctions with respect to the Supreme Leader of the
7/15/2021
Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatol ah Ali Khamenei, and Sayyud Ebrahim
Raisol-Sadati, who was elected president of the Islamic Republic of Iran in
the 2021 presidential election.
H.R. 4373
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
7/6/2021
Appropriations Act, 2022
H.R. 3966
To prohibit the United States from rejoining the Joint Comprehensive
6/17/2021
Plan of Action (JCPOA) until the President makes certain certifications,
and for other purposes.
S. 2030
Iran Nuclear Treaty Act
6/10/2021
S. 1950
Iran Sanctions Preservation Act
5/27/2021
H.R. 3465
Iran China Accountability Act
5/21/2021
S. 1743
Index Provider Transparency and Accountability Act
5/20/2021
H.R. 2938
Putting Americans First Act
4/30/2021
H.R. 2718
Maximum Pressure Act
4/21/2021
S. 1205
Iran Nuclear Deal Advice and Consent Act of 2021
4/19/2021
H.R. 2117
Iran Human Rights and Accountability Act of 2021
3/19/2021
H.R. 2113
Sanctioning Iranian-Backed Militia Terrorists Act
3/19/2021
H.R. 1699
Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act of 2021
3/9/2021
H.R. 1479
Iran Nuclear Deal Advice and Consent Act of 2021
3/2/2021
S. 488
Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act of 2021
2/25/2021
S. 434
Iran Diplomacy Act of 2021
2/24/2021
H.R. 1231
Constraining Human Rights Offenders in the Middle East Act
2/23/2021
H.R. 1203
Iran Nuclear Verification Act
2/22/2021
H.R. 857
Iranian Arms Transfer Prevention Act of 2021
2/5/2021
H.R. 901
No Sanctions Relief for Terrorists Act
2/5/2021
H.R. 819
Stop Corrupt Iranian Oligarchs and Entities Act
2/4/2021
H.R. 733
Stop Evasion of Iran Sanctions Act of 2021
2/2/2021
Source: Congress.gov.
China
Table B-3. Selected Legislation Related to China Sanctions
Introduced in the 117th Congress (reverse chronological order)
H.R./S.
Title/Intent
Date Introduced
S. 4620
Countering Communist China’s Financing of Russia’s War on Ukraine
7/26/2022
Act
S. 4428
Taiwan Policy Act of 2022
6/16/2022
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U.S. Sanctions: Legislation in the 117th Congress

H.R./S.
Title/Intent
Date Introduced
H.R. 8041
China Social Media Reciprocity Act
6/13/2022
H.R. 7998
Sanctioning Supporters of Slave Labor Act
6/9/2022
S. 4290
Iran China Accountability Act
5/24/2022
S. 4099
Sanction Transactions Originating from Pernicious Chinese Companies
4/27/2022
and Policies (STOP CCP) Act of 2022
H.R. 7457
Hold CCP Accountable Act of 2022
4/7/2022
H.R. 7314
Assessing Xi's Interference and Subversion (AXIS) Act
3/31/2022
S. 3877
Crippling Unhinged Russian Belligerence and Chinese Involvement in
3/17/2022
Putin’s Schemes (CURB CIPS) Act of 2022
H.R. 6954
Direct Investigations on China, Take Action To Oppose Russia
3/7/2022
(DICTATOR) Act of 2022
S. 3735
Deterring Communist Chinese Aggression against Taiwan through
3/2/2022
Financial Sanctions Act of 2022
H.R. 6686
Sanctioning Tyrannical and Oppressive People within the Chinese
2/9/2022
Communist Party (STOP CCP) Act
S. 3584
Countering Corporate Corruption in China Act of 2022
2/3/2022
H.R. 6524
To require the Secretary of the Treasury to carry out a study on Chinese
1/28/2022
support for Afghan il icit finance, and for other purposes.
H.R. 6484
Sanctions Targeting Aggressors of Neighboring Democracies with Taiwan
1/25/2022
(STAND with Taiwan) Act of 2022
S. 3526
Sanctions Targeting Aggressors of Neighboring Democracies with Taiwan
1/19/2022
(STAND with Taiwan) Act of 2022
H.R. 6417
Free Peng Shuai Act
1/18/2022
S. 3463
Coronavirus Origin Validation, Investigation, and Determination
1/10/2022
(COVID) Act of 2022
H.R. 6319
Falun Gong Protection Act
12/16/2021
H.R. 6256
To ensure that goods made with forced labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur
12/14/2021
Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China do not enter the
United States market, and for other purposes.
S. 3052
Cambodia Democracy and Human Rights Act of 2022
10/21/2021
H.R. 5580
Countering China Economic Coercion Act
10/15/2021
S. 2933
Chinese Communist Party Accountability Act of 2021
10/5/2021
H.R. 5454
To direct the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on the
9/30/2021
feasibility of establishing an office within the Department of Defense to
oversee sanctions with respect to Chinese military companies, and for
other purposes.
H.R. 5431
Designating the Chinese Communist Party as a Transnational Organized
9/30/2021
Crime Group Act
S. 2826
Restricting Taliban Critical Mineral Trade Act
9/23/2021
H.R. 5326
Chinese Military and Surveillance Company Sanctions Act of 2021
9/22/2021
H.R. 5286
Protecting Americans from Corporate Human Rights Abusers Act
9/17/2021
H.R. 5046
Holding Countries Accountable for Negligent Chemical and Biological
8/17/2021
Programs Act
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U.S. Sanctions: Legislation in the 117th Congress

H.R./S.
Title/Intent
Date Introduced
H.R. 4821
Combating the Persecution of Christians in China Act
7/29/2021
H.R. 4793
Protecting Personal Data from Foreign Adversaries Act
7/29/2021
H.R. 4792
Countering Communist China Act
7/29/2021
H.R. 4592
Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act of 2021
7/21/2021
H.R. 4281
Tibet Independence Act
6/30/2021
H.R. 4048
COVID-19 Origins Accountability Act of 2021
6/22/2021
S. 2148
Coronavirus Origin Validation, Investigation, and Determination
6/21/2021
(COVID) Act of 2021
H.R. 3922
World Deserves To Know Act
6/15/2021
H.R. 3882
Compensation for Americans Act of 2021
6/14/2021
S. 1987
Li Wenliang Global Public Health Accountability Act of 2021
6/9/2021
H.R. 3583
Never Again International Outbreak Prevention Act
5/28/2021
H.R. 3524
Ensuring American Global Leadership and Engagement (EAGLE) Act
5/25/2021
H.R. 3465
Iran China Accountability Act
5/21/2021
S. 1743
Index Provider Transparency and Accountability Act
5/20/2021
H.R. 3306
Uyghur Stop Oppressive Sterilizations (Uyghur SOS) Act
5/18/2021
H.R. 3295
Prohibiting TSP Investment in China Act
5/18/2021
S. 1665
Prohibiting TSP Investment in China Act
5/18/2021
S. 1657
South China Sea and East China Sea Sanctions Act of 2021
5/17/2021
H.R. 3018
Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Politburo Accountability Act
5/7/2021
H.R. 3011
Holding Chinese Military Companies Accountable Act
5/7/2021
S. 1245
Combating Chinese Purloining of Trade Secrets (CCP Trade Secrets) Act
4/20/2021
S. 1169
Strategic Competition Act of 2021
4/15/2021
S. 1029
Sanctioning and Highlighting Authoritarian Medicine and Eugenics
3/25/2021
(SHAME) Act
S. 687
Strengthening Trade, Regional Alliances, Technology, and Economic and
3/10/2021
Geopolitical Initiatives concerning China (STRATEGIC) Act
S. 429
Countering Chinese Propaganda Act
2/24/2021
H.R. 1214
Countering Chinese Propaganda Act
2/23/2021
H.R. 1155
Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
2/18/2021
H.R. 1137
Opposing Business with Chinese Military Companies Act
2/18/2021
H.R. 1131
China Technology Transfer Control Act of 2021
2/18/2021
S. 65
Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
1/27/2021
S. 37
Preventing Future Pandemics Act of 2021
1/25/2021
H.R. 151
Preventing Future Pandemics Act of 2021
1/4/2021
Source: Congress.gov
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U.S. Sanctions: Legislation in the 117th Congress

Cuba
Table B-4. Selected Legislation Related to Cuba Sanctions
Introduced in the 117th Congress (reverse chronological order)
H.R./S.
Title/Intent
Date Introduced
S. 2990
Denying Earnings to the Military Oligarchy in Cuba and Restricting
10/18/2021
Activities of the Cuban Intelligence Apparatus (DEMOCRACIA) Act
H.R. 5557
Denying Earnings to the Military Oligarchy in Cuba and Restricting
10/12/2021
Activities of the Cuban Intelligence Apparatus (DEMOCRACIA) Act
H.R. 4914
Havana Syndrome Attacks Response Act
8/3/2021
H.R. 3625
United States-Cuba Relations Normalization Act
5/28/2021
S. 1694
Freedom to Export to Cuba Act of 2021
5/19/2021
S. 249
United States-Cuba Trade Act of 2021
2/4/2021
H.R. 198
Baseball Diplomacy Act
1/5/2021
Source: Congress.gov.
Afghanistan
Table B-5. Selected Legislation Related to Sanctions on Afghanistan, the Taliban, or
the Haqqani Network
Introduced in the 117th Congress (reverse chronological order)
H.R./S.
Title/Intent
Date Introduced
H.R. 6524
To require the Secretary of the Treasury to carry out a study on Chinese
1/28/2022
support for Afghan il icit finance, and for other purposes.
H.R. 5404
Taliban Rare Earth Minerals Sanctions Act
9/28/2021
S. 2863
Afghanistan Counterterrorism, Oversight, and Accountability Act of 2021
9/27/2021
S. 2826
Restricting Taliban Critical Mineral Trade Act
9/23/2021
H.R. 5333
Preventing the Recognition of Terrorist States Act of 2021
9/22/2021
S. 2781
No Harbor for Terror Act
9/21/2021
H.R. 5272
Taliban Recognition Prevention Act
9/17/2021
S. 2745
Preventing the Recognition of Terrorist States Act of 2021
9/14/2021
H.R. 5236
Prevent Taliban Support Act
9/10/2021
H.R. 5127
Afghanistan Withdrawal Oversight and Liability (AWOL) Act
8/31/2021
H.R. 5117
Ensuring Evacuation from Afghanistan Act of 2021
8/27/2021
H.R. 5066
Afghanistan Accountability Act
8/20/2021
Source: Congress.gov
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U.S. Sanctions: Legislation in the 117th Congress

Appendix C. Selected Legislation Related to
Sanctions Concerning Transnational Issues
Human Rights Abuse and/or Corruption
Table C-1. Selected Legislation Related to Sanctions and Human Rights and/or
Corruption
Introduced in the 117th Congress (reverse chronological order)
H.R./S.
Title/Intent
Date Introduced
S. 4216
North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2022
5/12/2022
S. 4021
Human Rights Violators Act of 2022
4/6/2022
H.R. 7332
North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2022
3/31/2022
S. 3924
Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Extension Act
3/24/2022
S. 3725
No Trading with Invaders Act
3/1/2022
H.R. 6586
Guaranteeing Enemy Nations Omit from Criminalizing, Impeding, or
2/3/2022
Detaining Exceptional Global Athletes Magnifying Exploitation during
Sporting events Act (GENOCIDE) GAMES Act
H.R. 6417
Free Peng Shuai Act
1/18/2022
H.R. 6140
Sudan Democracy Act
12/3/2021
S. 3275
Sudan Democracy Act
11/29/2021
S. 3199
Ethiopia Peace and Stabilization Act of 2022
11/4/2021
S. 3155
Jamal Khashoggi Human Rights Act
11/3/2021
S. 3052
Cambodia Democracy and Human Rights Act of 2022
10/21/2021
S. 2986
A bil to require a review of sanctions with respect to Russian
10/7/2021
kleptocrats and human rights abusers.
H.R. 5209
Counter-Kleptocracy Act
9/10/2021
H.R. 5150
Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection
9/3/2021
Reauthorization Act of 2021
H.R. 4718
Stop Arming Human Rights Abusers Act
7/27/2021
H.R. 4686
Cambodia Democracy Act of 2021
7/26/2021
H.R. 4546
Turkey Human Rights Promotion Act of 2021
7/20/2021
S. 2403
Turkey Human Rights Promotion Act of 2021
7/20/2021
H.R. 4322
Combating Global Corruption Act of 2021
7/1/2021
S. 2277
Global Respect Act of 2021
6/24/2021
S. 2129
Otto Warmbier Countering North Korean Censorship and Surveillance
6/17/2021
Act of 2021
S. 2104
Global Labor Support Act of 2021
6/17/2021
S. 1996
Greater Leadership Overseas for the Benefit of Equality Act of 2021
6/9/2021
H.R. 3800
Greater Leadership Overseas for the Benefit of Equality (GLOBE) Act of
6/8/2021
2021
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U.S. Sanctions: Legislation in the 117th Congress

H.R./S.
Title/Intent
Date Introduced
H.R. 3485
Global Respect Act
5/25/2021
H.R. 3373
Honoring Our Commitment to Elevate America's Neighbor Islands and
5/20/2021
Allies (Honoring OCEANIA) Act
S. 1774
Honoring Our Commitment to Elevate America's Neighbor Islands and
5/20/2021
Allies (Honoring OCEANIA) Act
S. 1637
Hizbal ah Money Laundering Prevention Act of 2021
5/13/2021
H.R. 3001
Vietnam Human Rights Act
5/4/2021
H.R. 2946
Reinforcing Nicaragua's Adherence to Conditions for Electoral Reform
4/30/2021
(RENACER) Act
S. 1478
World Press Freedom Protection and Reciprocity Act
4/29/2021
H.R. 2716
Honduras Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Act of 2021
4/21/2021
H.R. 2471
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022
4/13/2021
S. 1104
Haiti Development, Accountability, and Institutional Transparency
4/13/2021
Initiative Act
S. 1064
Reinforcing Nicaragua's Adherence to Conditions for Electoral Reform
3/25/2021
(RENACER) Act
S. 1041
Reinforcing Nicaragua's Adherence to Conditions for Electoral Reform
3/25/2021
(RENACER) Act
H.R. 1464
Saudi Arabia Accountability for Gross Violations of Human Rights Act
3/1/2021
H.R. 1392
Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act of 2021
2/26/2021
S. 424
International Human Rights Defense Act of 2021
2/24/2021
H.R. 1228
Libya Stabilization Act
2/23/2021
S. 388
Honduras Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Act of 2021
2/23/2021
S. 379
Libya Stabilization Act
2/23/2021
H.R. 1201
International Human Rights Defense Act of 2021
2/22/2021
H.R. 1122
Supporting Mexico Against Corruption Act
2/18/2021
H.R. 839
Jamal Khashoggi Press Freedom Accountability Act of 2021
2/4/2021
S. 226
Jamal Khashoggi Press Freedom Accountability Act of 2021
2/4/2021
S. 158
Countering Russian and Other Overseas Kleptocracy (CROOK) Act
2/2/2021
S. 93
Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Reauthorization Act
1/28/2021
S. 14
Combating Global Corruption Act of 2021
1/22/2021
H.R. 402
Countering Russian and Other Overseas Kleptocracy (CROOK) Act
1/21/2021
Source: Congress.gov
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U.S. Sanctions: Legislation in the 117th Congress

Terrorism/Counterterrorism
Table C-2. Selected Legislation Related to Sanctions and
Terrorism/Counterterrorism
Introduced in the 117th Congress (reverse chronological order)
H.R./S.
Title/Intent
Date Introduced
H.R. 8568
Russia is a State Sponsor of Terrorism Act
7/28/2022
H.R. 7824
Taylor Force Martyr Payment Prevention Act of 2022
5/18/2022
H.R. 7139
Removing Arms from Terrorists Through Sanctions Act
3/17/2022
H.R. 7063
Restoring Maximum Pressure on Iranian Terrorists Act
3/11/2022
H.R. 6897
Preventing Usurpation of Power and Privileges by Extralegal Territories’
3/2/2022
Sedition (PUPPETS) Act of 2022
S. 3739
Preventing Usurpation of Power and Privileges by Extralegal Territories’
3/2/2022
Sedition (PUPPETS) Act of 2022
S. 3318
Taylor Force Martyr Payment Prevention Act of 2021
12/6/2021
S. 2863
Afghanistan Counterterrorism, Oversight, and Accountability Act of 2021
9/27/2021
H.R. 5333
Preventing the Recognition of Terrorist States Act of 2021
9/22/2021
S. 2745
Preventing the Recognition of Terrorist States Act of 2021
9/14/2021
H.R. 5066
Afghanistan Accountability Act
8/20/2021
H.R. 4793
Protecting Personal Data from Foreign Adversaries Act
7/29/2021
H.R. 3965
Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act
6/17/2021
H.R. 3685
Hamas International Financing Prevention Act
6/4/2021
S. 1904
Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2021
5/27/2021
H.R. 3388
Protecting Critical Infrastructure Act of 2021
5/20/2021
H.R. 2710
Banking Transparency for Sanctioned Persons Act of 2021
4/20/2021
S. 1164
Global Hostage Act of 2021
4/15/2021
H.R. 2113
Sanctioning Iranian-Backed Militia Terrorists Act
3/19/2021
H.R. 1543
No Social Media Accounts for Terrorists or State Sponsors of Terrorism
3/3/2021
Act of 2021
H.R. 901
No Sanctions Relief for Terrorists Act
2/5/2021
H.R. 296
Financial Technology Protection Act
1/13/2021
H.R. 261
Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2021
1/11/2021
Source: Congress.gov

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U.S. Sanctions: Legislation in the 117th Congress

Author Information

Edward J. Collins-Chase

Analyst in Foreign Policy

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Congressional Research Service
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