Maximum Support Act

Bill Number: H.R. 2614
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: International Affairs
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-04-02: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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: 2025-10-07T08:05:30Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The "Maximum Support Act" (H.R. 2614) aims to provide comprehensive U.S. government support to the people of Iran in their efforts to achieve a democratic political system based on human rights and the rule of law. It focuses on countering Iranian government censorship, enhancing internet freedom, imposing economic pressure on the regime, and facilitating nonviolent opposition, while ensuring U.S. sanctions do not hinder access to communication tools for civilians.

Key Provisions

Policy Statement (Sec. 2): Declares U.S. policy to offer maximum support to Iranians seeking democracy, human rights, and rule of law, opposing the current regime.

Internet Freedom Task Force and Strategy (Sec. 3): Requires the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury and CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), to create an interagency task force within 180 days. The task force must develop a strategy (submitted unclassified to Congress) to counter internet barriers in Iran, including:
Establishing a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) service to bypass censorship, with protections against surveillance and regular updates.
Promoting satellite communications via direct-to-cell technology and distributing eSIMs (electronic SIM cards for quick device activation) to enable uncensored access.
Addressing Iranian restrictions on importing cell phones (e.g., iPhones with satellite capabilities), including countermeasures to prevent regime profiteering in black markets.
Vetting technology providers to exclude regime affiliates.
Identifying and countering regime-controlled VPNs used for surveillance, with public awareness campaigns.
Supporting anti-jamming satellite tech, secure tools, encryption, cybersecurity training for activists, rapid response support, and ongoing evaluations reported to Congress.
An implementation plan due 60 days after the strategy.

Asset Confiscation and Funding (Sec. 4): Directs the President to seize Iranian government funds under U.S. jurisdiction and deposit them into the U.S. Treasury. These funds support:
A "strikers fund" for nonviolent opposition.
Humanitarian aid and medical supplies, monitored to avoid benefiting the regime.
Documentation of human rights abuses (e.g., killings, torture, trafficking).
Internet freedom efforts under Sec. 3.
Annual audits by the U.S. Comptroller General and Inspectors General, with immediate termination of any funding that benefits the regime.

Sanctions and Internet Freedom Strategy (Sec. 5): Mandates a joint State-Treasury strategy (unclassified, due in 180 days) to prevent U.S. sanctions from blocking civilian access to tools like VPNs, secure apps, and satellite tech. Includes:
Assessing sanction impacts and issuing licenses/waivers for tech providers.
Guidelines for companies, streamlined approvals, and misuse prevention (e.g., vetting to block regime affiliates).
Collaboration with tech firms, NGOs, and partners for access expansion and awareness.
Ongoing monitoring, congressional reporting, and countermeasures to regime interference.
Implementation plan due 60 days later.

Democratic Transition Support Strategy (Sec. 6): Requires the President to submit an unclassified strategy (with possible classified annex, due in 180 days) for supporting Iran's shift to democracy, covering:
Diplomacy: State Department efforts to back protests and create a Special Representative and Office for coordination.
Economic Pressure: Treasury sanctions on regime sectors, disrupting terror financing, and ally coordination.
Intelligence: Monitoring regime suppression, aiding civil society security, and countering disinformation.
Media: USAGM expansion of unbiased broadcasting, social media exposure of abuses, and support for independent journalists.
Interagency coordination.
Implementation plan due 60 days later.

Designation of Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) as Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) (Sec. 7): Finds MOIS responsible for terrorism, espionage, and support to groups like Hezbollah. Urges its FTO designation under the Immigration and Nationality Act (which allows barring members from the U.S. and freezing assets). Requires State Department determination within 90 days, with designation and justification if criteria are met.

Defection Strategy (Secs. 8 and 10, duplicate provisions): Directs State, Treasury, and National Intelligence Director to develop an unclassified strategy (with possible classified annex, due in 180 days) to encourage defections from Iranian officials and security forces. Includes:
Secure communication channels and safety assurances.
An interagency working group for managing defections, verification, and risk mitigation.
Incentives like financial aid, jobs, and housing.
Publicizing successes (if safe) and international coordination.
Implementation plan due 60 days later.

Cybersecurity Assistance (Sec. 9): Establishes a State-Intelligence program for Iranian dissidents, providing secure tools, encryption, training on threats (e.g., cyberattacks, phishing), rapid support, and congressional reporting on threats and mitigations.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Introduces new mechanisms for asset confiscation specifically targeting Iranian government funds for pro-democracy support, expanding beyond typical sanctions by vesting seized assets directly in the U.S. government.
Mandates potential FTO designation for MOIS, which could add legal restrictions (e.g., asset freezes, travel bans) not currently applied as a full organization.
Creates novel interagency task forces, strategies, and programs (e.g., VPN service, eSIM distribution, strikers fund) to prioritize internet freedom and defections, requiring unclassified reporting and audits to ensure no regime benefit—changes that formalize and escalate U.S. support for Iranian opposition.
Modifies sanction implementation by requiring waivers/licenses to protect civilian tech access, potentially altering enforcement under existing Iran sanctions laws like the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act.

Potential Impacts

On U.S. Government Agencies: Increases workload for State, Treasury, USAGM, Intelligence Community, and USAID through new task forces, strategies, and annual audits/reports to Congress. Could strain resources but enhance coordination on Iran policy.
On Iranian Citizens: Improves access to uncensored internet, secure communications, and humanitarian aid; supports nonviolent protests and dissidents via funding and training, potentially empowering civil society but risking regime retaliation.
On International Relations: May heighten U.S.-Iran tensions and escalate sanctions, while fostering alliances with partners for defections and tech distribution. Could influence global human rights norms by publicizing abuses and isolating Iran's regime, but might complicate nuclear talks or regional stability.

Main Stakeholders Affected

U.S. Government Entities: Departments of State and Treasury, USAGM, Intelligence Community, and Inspectors General—directly involved in implementation, funding, and oversight.
Iranian People and Opposition: Civilians, activists, journalists, dissidents, and defectors benefit from tech tools, funding, and protection; nonviolent strikers and human rights documenters receive targeted support.
Iranian Regime: Adversely affected through asset seizures, sanctions, MOIS designation, and counters to censorship/surveillance.
Private Sector and NGOs: Technology companies (e.g., for VPNs, eSIMs) must vet operations and comply with licenses; civil society groups aid distribution and training.
International Partners: Allies (e.g., in Europe, Middle East) involved in coordination for sanctions, defections, and media efforts.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Expands executive authority for asset seizures and FTO designations under existing frameworks like the Immigration and Nationality Act, with built-in safeguards (e.g., audits, vetting) to prevent misuse. Strategies must balance sanctions with human rights, potentially leading to litigation over waiver processes or regime claims of interference.
Constitutional: Relies on foreign affairs powers (Article II) for diplomacy, sanctions, and intelligence, but congressional oversight via reporting ensures checks and balances. No direct domestic impacts, but asset vesting could raise due process questions if challenged internationally.
Political: Signals strong U.S. commitment to regime change in Iran, potentially polarizing domestic debate on interventionism vs. isolationism. Could boost bipartisan support for human rights abroad but risks diplomatic isolation if seen as provocative; emphasizes nonviolent aid to align with international law standards.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1]

Recent Actions

2025-04-02: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.
2025-04-02: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.
2025-04-02: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.
2025-04-02: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.
2025-04-02: Introduced in House
2025-04-02: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Maximum Support Act — issued 2025-04-02 — PDF (22 pages)