No Sanctions Relief for Terrorists Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2468

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-27: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Last Updated

2025-05-27T14:12:54Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The "No Sanctions Relief for Terrorists Act" (H.R. 2468) aims to restrict the U.S. government's ability to provide relief from sanctions on specific Iranian individuals and entities linked to terrorism. It seeks to ensure that such relief is only granted if the President verifies that these parties have stopped their terrorist activities, thereby maintaining pressure on terrorism supporters without easing sanctions prematurely.

Key Provisions

• Prohibition on Licenses and Waivers: No new licenses or waivers can be issued for transactions involving "sanctioned persons" (defined below) unless the President certifies to specific congressional committees that these persons have ceased involvement in terrorism.
• The certification must be submitted to:
• House Committee on Foreign Affairs and House Committee on Financial Services.
• Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
• Definition of Sanctioned Persons: This includes all Iranian individuals and entities listed as of January 20, 2021, on the "Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons" (SDN) list maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The SDN list targets persons who commit, threaten, or support terrorism under Executive Order 13224 (a 2001 order blocking property and prohibiting transactions with terrorists).
• Rule of Construction: The law does not affect any general licenses (broad permissions for certain transactions) issued by OFAC that were already in effect on January 20, 2021, for these sanctioned persons.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This bill introduces a stricter barrier to lifting or waiving sanctions on the specified Iranian SDN-listed parties by requiring presidential certification of behavioral change (ending terrorism involvement) before any relief.
• It limits executive branch discretion compared to current sanctions laws, which allow the President or Treasury Department more flexibility to issue waivers or licenses for foreign policy reasons without mandatory congressional notification on terrorism cessation.
• The focus on the SDN list as of a specific past date (January 20, 2021) freezes the scope to pre-existing designations, potentially preventing new additions from qualifying for easier relief processes.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of the Treasury (via OFAC) and the President face reduced flexibility in managing sanctions, requiring more oversight and certification processes that could slow diplomatic or humanitarian transactions. Congressional committees gain a formal role in reviewing sanction relief.
• On Citizens and Businesses: U.S. citizens and companies may encounter ongoing restrictions on dealings with the targeted Iranian entities, limiting trade or financial opportunities unless certifications are made. This could indirectly affect global markets involving Iran.
• On International Relations: The bill could heighten U.S.-Iran tensions by signaling a hardline stance against terrorism-linked entities, potentially complicating nuclear talks or broader diplomacy. It might strain relations with allies who seek sanction waivers for non-terrorism reasons, such as humanitarian aid.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Government: Executive branch (President and Treasury Department) for enforcement and certification duties; Congress for oversight.
• Iranian Individuals and Entities: Those on the January 20, 2021, SDN list, who face prolonged sanctions without proof of ending terrorism ties.
• International Actors: Foreign businesses or governments engaging with sanctioned Iranians, who may need to navigate U.S. restrictions; broader implications for entities in global finance or trade involving Iran.
• U.S. Advocacy Groups: Terrorism victims' organizations or policy advocates pushing for tough sanctions, who may support this as a strengthening measure.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: Reinforces the SDN list's role in sanctions enforcement but adds a certification requirement that could lead to legal challenges if perceived as overly restrictive on executive foreign policy powers. It does not alter the underlying Executive Order 13224 but builds on it with congressional checks.
• Constitutional Implications: Balances separation of powers by involving Congress in sanction relief decisions, potentially affirming legislative authority over foreign affairs while respecting presidential certification as a foreign policy tool.
• Political Implications: Reflects bipartisan concerns (introduced by Rep. Steil and Rep. Moore) about Iran's terrorism support, possibly influencing U.S. elections or negotiations by limiting future administrations' options for sanction easing without accountability. It could polarize debates on Iran policy but promotes transparency in relief processes.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Steil, Bryan [R-WI-1]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-27: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
• 2025-03-27: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-27: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• No Sanctions Relief for Terrorists Act — issued 2025-03-27 — PDF (2 pages)