Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025

Bill Number: H.R. 2548
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: International Affairs
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-04-01: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, Ways and Means, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Last Updated: 2026-06-10T08:07:50Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 (H.R. 2548) aims to pressure the Russian government into negotiating and adhering to a peace agreement with Ukraine by imposing severe economic sanctions and trade restrictions. It targets actions like refusing good-faith peace talks, violating agreements, launching another military invasion, or undermining Ukraine's government. The bill also expresses U.S. policy support for providing ongoing security aid to Ukraine to deter future aggression.

Key Provisions

Sense of Congress (Sec. 2): Declares that Russia should face maximum U.S. sanctions if it refuses good-faith peace negotiations with Ukraine. It also states U.S. policy to supply Ukraine with sustainable security assistance for defense and deterrence.
Definitions (Sec. 3): Clarifies terms such as "Armed Forces of the Russian Federation" (including branches like aerospace and navy forces), "military invasion" (covering ground assaults, cyberattacks, and blockades), "critical infrastructure" (vital sectors like energy, healthcare, and transportation in Ukraine), and standard terms like "United States person" (U.S. citizens, residents, or U.S.-based entities).
Covered Determination (Sec. 4): The President must assess every 90 days (starting 15 days after enactment) whether Russia, its proxies, or controlled entities are refusing peace talks, violating agreements, invading Ukraine, or subverting its government. This triggers sanctions.
Sanctions on Persons Affiliated with Russia (Sec. 5): Targets Russian officials (e.g., president, ministers, military commanders), supporters providing arms or undermining Ukraine (e.g., via cyberattacks or human rights abuses), oligarchs, and those evading sanctions. Measures include:
Blocking all U.S.-based property and transactions.
Visa revocations and bans on entry to the U.S. for affected individuals.
Prohibits U.S. persons from any dealings with them.
Sanctions on Financial Institutions (Sec. 6): Applies to Russia's Central Bank, Sberbank, VTB Bank, Gazprombank, and other government-linked banks. Includes property blocking, restrictions on U.S. correspondent accounts (banking links allowing international transfers), and bans on U.S. transactions. Also sanctions their directors, officers, and major shareholders.
Sanctions on Other Government-Affiliated Entities (Sec. 7): Blocks property of any entity owned or controlled by the Russian government.
Fund Transfer Ban (Sec. 8): U.S. banks and brokers cannot process transfers to/from Russia or for Russian officials' benefit, with limited exceptions for licensed humanitarian transactions.
Securities Trading Ban (Sec. 9): Prohibits listing or trading securities of Russian government officials or affiliated entities on U.S. exchanges.
Investment Prohibition (Sec. 10): Bans U.S. financial institutions (including funds and investment firms) from investing in Russian government entities or its armed forces.
Energy Sector Restrictions (Sec. 11): Halts U.S. exports of energy products to Russia; prohibits U.S. investments in Russia's energy sector; sanctions foreign entities aiding Russian energy production (e.g., oil, gas, uranium).
Sovereign Debt Ban (Sec. 12): Prohibits U.S. persons from buying Russian government debt.
Financial Messaging Ban (Sec. 13): Sanctions providers like SWIFT if they continue services to sanctioned Russian banks.
Uranium Import Ban and Sanctions (Sec. 14): Bans importing uranium from Russia or countries using Russian-sourced uranium; sanctions Rosatom (Russia's nuclear corporation) leaders and entities trading such uranium.
Increased Import Duties (Sec. 15): Imposes at least 500% tariffs on all Russian imports (e.g., oil, gas), in addition to existing anti-dumping duties; allows recommendations for even higher rates.
CAATSA Sanctions (Sec. 16): Mandates additional sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) on Russia and targeted persons.
Duties on Third Countries (Sec. 17): Imposes 500% tariffs on imports from countries buying Russian oil, uranium, or petroleum products; waivable once for up to 180 days for national security reasons, but not for state sponsors of terrorism.
Exceptions (Sec. 18): Exempts humanitarian aid to Russians, U.S. intelligence activities, and admissions needed for international obligations (e.g., UN agreements).
Implementation and Penalties (Sec. 19): Uses powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA, a law allowing the President to regulate commerce in emergencies) without needing a formal national emergency declaration. Violations carry civil and criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
Termination and Reimposition (Sec. 20): Sanctions end if the President certifies to Congress that Russia has ceased hostile acts and signed a peace deal with Ukraine; they automatically reimpose (plus new ones) if violations recur.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Expands beyond current sanctions (e.g., CAATSA from 2017) by automating triggers via periodic presidential determinations and mandating broader, escalating measures like 500% tariffs and uranium bans.
Waives IEEPA's national emergency requirement, giving the executive branch faster, unilateral authority to act.
Introduces novel tools, such as secondary tariffs on third countries buying Russian energy (expanding "secondary sanctions" concepts) and comprehensive bans on energy investments/exports, which go further than prior Russia-specific laws like the 2022 Ukraine-related sanctions.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Places heavy implementation burdens on the Treasury (sanctions and investments), State Department (visas and determinations), Commerce (exports and duties), SEC (securities), and USTR (tariff recommendations), requiring coordinated reporting every 90 days.
Citizens and Businesses: U.S. persons and firms face restrictions on dealings with Russia, potentially disrupting investments, trade, and remittances; higher costs for energy or imports could raise consumer prices, while bans protect against sanctioned exposures.
International Relations: Escalates U.S.-Russia tensions, isolating Russia economically; pressures allies and neutral countries to avoid Russian energy, potentially straining ties with major importers like China or India; bolsters U.S. support for Ukraine, enhancing NATO cohesion but risking global energy market volatility.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Russian Government and Entities: Officials, banks (e.g., Sberbank), energy firms (e.g., Rosatom, Gazprom), and oligarchs face asset freezes, travel bans, and economic isolation.
U.S. Financial and Business Sectors: Banks, investors, exporters (especially in energy), and importers must comply with bans, risking penalties for violations.
Ukrainian Government and Citizens: Indirectly benefits through deterrence and U.S. security aid policy, protecting sovereignty and infrastructure.
Third Countries and Global Entities: Nations buying Russian resources (e.g., oil-dependent economies) face U.S. tariffs; international banks and messaging systems (e.g., SWIFT) must cut ties with sanctioned parties.
Humanitarian and Intelligence Actors: Exempted, allowing continued aid to Russians and U.S. covert operations.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Relies heavily on IEEPA for enforcement, bypassing some procedural hurdles like emergency declarations, which could face court challenges over due process for sanctioned individuals. Aligns with existing sanctions frameworks but mandates their expansion, limiting presidential discretion.
Constitutional: Invokes broad executive powers in foreign affairs (Article II), but requires congressional certification for termination, balancing branches; visa and property actions raise potential Fifth Amendment concerns (due process) for affected non-citizens.
Political: Sponsored by bipartisan lawmakers (e.g., Fitzpatrick, Quigley), signaling cross-party consensus on Ukraine support; could influence U.S. elections by highlighting foreign policy stances, while reimposition clauses ensure long-term pressure without needing new legislation.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

Cosponsors (155)

Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2], Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2], Rep. Hoyer, Steny H. [D-MD-5], Rep. Flood, Mike [R-NE-1], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large], Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6], Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15], Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25], Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. LaHood, Darin [R-IL-16], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Lucas, Frank D. [R-OK-3], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3] and 105 more

Recent Actions

2025-04-01: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, Ways and Means, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-04-01: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, Ways and Means, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-04-01: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, Ways and Means, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-04-01: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, Ways and Means, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-04-01: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, Ways and Means, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-04-01: Introduced in House
2025-04-01: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-01 — PDF (31 pages)