US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US Federal House Bill HB23

Introduced

1/3/25

Refer

1/3/25

Engrossed

1/9/25

Caption

Illegitimate Court Counteraction ActThis bill imposes sanctions against foreign persons (individuals and entities) who assist the International Criminal Court (ICC) in investigating, arresting, detaining, or prosecuting certain individuals.The bill categorizes as protected persons (1) any U.S. individual, U.S. entity, or person in the United States, unless the United States is a state party to the Rome Statute of the ICC and provides formal consent to ICC jurisdiction; and (2) any foreign person that is a citizen or lawful resident of a U.S. ally that is not a state party to the Rome Statute or has not consented to ICC jurisdiction.If the ICC attempts to investigate, arrest, detain or prosecute a protected person, the President must impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions against the foreign persons that engaged in or materially assisted in such actions, as well as against foreign persons owned by, controlled by, or acting on behalf of such foreign persons. The President must also apply visa-blocking sanctions to the immediate family members of those sanctioned.Upon enactment, the bill rescinds all funds appropriated for the ICC and prohibits the subsequent use of appropriated funds for the ICC.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would rescind appropriated funds for the ICC and impose sweeping sanctions on foreign individuals the President identifies as having engaged with the ICC's activities against protected persons. This measure intends to fortify the protective measures laid out in previous legislation, particularly the American Servicemembers’ Protection Act, which aims to shield U.S. military personnel from international criminal prosecutions. Additionally, the sanctions can involve blocking property and revoking the entry documentation of certain foreign individuals, which aligns with the administration's broader strategy against international oversight.

Summary

House Bill 23, titled the 'Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act', is designed to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding any efforts it makes to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute any 'protected person' of the United States or its allies. The bill explicitly articulates that the ICC lacks legitimacy against the backdrop of claims that its actions against Israel create a damaging precedent. The language of the bill suggests that the United States should take a firm stance against any ICC prosecutions involving U.S. officials and its allies, particularly those not consenting to ICC jurisdiction.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 23 appears to be heavily supportive among constituents who are wary of international bodies infringing upon U.S. sovereignty. Proponents of the bill argue that it is a necessary step to protect American interests and uphold national authority in international rela-tions. However, critiques exist regarding the potential ramifications for international law and the principles that govern cooperative frameworks among sovereign nations, highlighting a complex interplay between national interests and global accountability.

Contention

Notably, there are significant points of contention regarding the implications of the bill on international relations and justice mechanisms. Critics argue that the unilateral approach to sanctioning the ICC risks undermining established international norms and could jeopardize future cooperation with allies on crucial global issues, like humanitarian law and war crimes. The bill's framing against the context of U.S.-Israel relations also raises concerns regarding its impact on peace negotiations and the broader geopolitical landscape.

Congress_id

119-HR-23

Policy_area

International Affairs

Introduced_date

2025-01-03

Companion Bills

US HR5

Related bill This resolution establishes rules for the House of Representatives for the 119th Congress.The resolution adopts the rules from the 118th Congress with specified changes, includingproviding that a resolution vacating the Office of Speaker is only privileged (takes precedence over all matters other than motions to adjourn) if it is offered by a sponsor of the majority party joined by eight cosponsors from the majority party; providing that the Speaker may only entertain a motion to suspend the rules on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays; prohibiting waiver (by rule or by order) of the germaneness rule (which requires amendments to be of the same subject matter as the measure under consideration); and prohibiting consideration of measures that exceed a specified long-term budget impact according to the Congressional Budget Office.Additional changes includeauthorizing the use of electronic voting within a committee;authorizing remote appearances by non-executive branch witnesses and their counsel in committee proceedings; eliminating the House Office of Diversity and Inclusion; eliminating certain collective bargaining rights for employees of the House of Representatives; reauthorizing the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party; reauthorizing the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission; and reauthorizing the House Democracy Assistance Commission (an entity that advises democratic parliaments in other countries) and renaming it the House Democracy Partnership. The resolution provides for the consideration of H.R. 21, H.R. 22, H.R. 23, H.R. 26, H.R. 27, H.R. 28, H.R. 29, H.R. 30, H.R. 31, H.R. 32, H.R. 33, and H.R. 35.

Previously Filed As

US SB618

Protecting America's Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act of 2025This bill prohibits persons associated with the governments of Iran, North Korea, China, or Russia from purchasing or leasing agricultural land in the United States.Specifically, the President must prohibit any person (individual or entity) owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of these foreign governments from purchasing or leasing (1) public agricultural land that is owned by the United States and administered by a federal department or agency, or (2) private agricultural land that is located in the United States.A person that violates or attempts to violate this prohibition is subject to civil and criminal penalties. This prohibition does not require a person that owns or leases agricultural land as of the date of this bill's enactment to sell that land.Further, the President must prohibit a person associated with these foreign governments and who leases, or who has full or partial ownership of, agricultural land in the United States from participating in Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. Exceptions are included to allow for participation in USDA programs related to food safety, the health and labor safety of individuals, or certain reporting and disclosure requirements.The bill excludes U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents from these restrictions.The bill also amends the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (AFIDA) to require reporting on security interests and leases.Finally, the Government Accountability Office must submit a report to Congress on AFIDA.

US SR567

A resolution expressing that any attempt by foreign entities to censor or penalize constitutionally protected speech of United States persons shall be opposed.

US HB1384

(Second New Title) relative to prohibiting foreign adversary persons or foreign entities of concern from financing lawsuits, prohibiting foreign principals from registering as lobbyists, and requires certain disclosures for persons acting on behalf of foreign principals.

US SB267

Prohibits the funding of legal actions by foreign individuals and legal entities

US HR9

This resolution reaffirms that the United States in not a party to the Rome Statute and does not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC).  The resolution also (1) condemns the ICC's issuance of arrest warrant applications for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, and (2) supports Israel's right to defend itself and its leaders from unwarranted international legal actions. 

Similar Bills

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