No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2619

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-09: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 45 - 6.

Last Updated

2026-01-13T09:05:24Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The "No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act" (H.R. 2619) aims to deter hostage-taking and wrongful detention of U.S. nationals by Iran and other adversaries through enhanced reporting, sanctions enforcement, travel restrictions, and international coordination. It builds on the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act (a 2020 law authorizing sanctions against those involved in such detentions) by requiring oversight of Iranian funds, reviews of sanctions cases, and strategies to prevent ransom-like payments.

Key Provisions

• Findings and Policy Statement: Recognizes Iran's history of hostage-taking (e.g., the 1979-1981 diplomat crisis and Robert Levinson's case) and establishes U.S. policy to impose strict penalties on Iran, other hostile governments, and non-state actors for these actions.
• Report on Iranian Funds in Qatar: Within 90 days of enactment and every 180 days for 6 years, the President must report to congressional committees on the $6 billion transferred from restricted South Korean accounts to Qatar in 2023 (intended for humanitarian use). This includes an itemized transaction list, fund balances, certifications on non-humanitarian use or enabling malign activities (e.g., defense spending), and the U.S. review process for transactions.
• Review and Sanctions Reports: Within 180 days of enactment and annually for 6 years, the President must review hostage and wrongful detention cases involving U.S. nationals in Iran over the prior 10 years, determine responsibility of foreign persons (individuals or entities), and report on sanctions imposed under the Levinson Act. For non-sanctioned persons, justifications for waivers or exemptions must be provided.
• Limits on Iranian Diplomats' Travel: Expresses Congress's view that Iran's actions (hostage-taking, assassination plots, intelligence activities) threaten U.S. security. Amends existing law (Foreign Relations Authorization Act) to deny U.S. visas to Iranian UN representatives or family members sanctioned under Executive Orders 13224 (anti-terrorism) or 13382 (weapons of mass destruction proliferators). Requires annual reports for 3 years on visa denials or travel restrictions.
• Report on Blocked Iranian Assets: Within 180 days and annually for 3 years, report on globally blocked or frozen Iranian assets over $100,000 (from the prior 2 years), status changes (e.g., unblocking), and any U.S. involvement or justifications.
• International Efforts to Freeze Assets: Urges coordinated global actions to freeze, seize, or forfeit assets of sanctioned Iranian entities linked to malign activities (e.g., hostage-taking, human rights abuses). Requires annual reports for 3 years on intelligence sharing, oversight, and technical assistance to foreign governments.
• U.S. Passports for Travel to Iran: Expresses Congress's view that the Secretary of State should invalidate U.S. passports for travel to Iran due to risks of detention (similar to the North Korea ban). Requires determinations and reports within 90 days and annually for 3 years on travel dangers and any passport restrictions.
• Strategy to Deter Hostage-Taking: Within 180 days, the President must submit a strategy to Congress outlining penalties, bans on ransom payments, and coordination with allies to prevent wrongful detentions by adversaries.
• Definitions: Clarifies terms like "appropriate congressional committees" (key House and Senate panels), "foreign person" (non-U.S. individuals, entities, or states), and "U.S. national" (as defined in the Levinson Act).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Visa Denial Expansion: Amends Section 407(a)(1) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991) to explicitly include sanctions under Executive Orders 13224 and 13382 as grounds for denying UN-related visas to Iranians, broadening criteria beyond espionage or terrorism to cover terrorism support and weapons proliferation. This does not diminish U.S. security rights under the UN Headquarters Agreement.
• Enhanced Reporting Mandates: Introduces new, recurring reporting requirements (e.g., on funds, sanctions, assets) not previously required under the Levinson Act, with certifications on fund misuse and justifications for sanction waivers.
• No direct changes to passport laws, but adds pressure via sense-of-Congress language to invoke existing regulatory authority (22 CFR 51.63) for travel restrictions.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Increases workload for the President, State Department, Treasury, and intelligence agencies through mandatory reviews, reports, and certifications (spanning 3-6 years). May require interagency coordination for global asset tracking and ally consultations, potentially straining resources.
• On Citizens: Heightens protections for U.S. nationals abroad by deterring detentions through sanctions and travel limits; could restrict Americans' travel to Iran if passports are invalidated, reducing risks but limiting personal freedoms.
• On International Relations: May escalate tensions with Iran by scrutinizing its funds and diplomats, signaling zero tolerance for hostage-taking. Encourages cooperation with allies (e.g., Qatar, South Korea) on asset freezes, potentially strengthening anti-Iran coalitions but risking diplomatic friction at the UN.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Government Officials: President, Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Attorney General, and congressional committees (Foreign Affairs/Relations, Financial Services/Banking, Judiciary) responsible for implementation and oversight.
• U.S. Nationals: Particularly those at risk of detention abroad; benefits from deterrence but faces potential travel barriers.
• Iranian Government and Entities: Faces increased sanctions, asset freezes, and visa denials for diplomats, officials, and sanctioned individuals/entities.
• International Actors: Foreign governments (e.g., Qatar for fund monitoring, allies for coordination), financial institutions handling Iranian transactions, and UN diplomats affected by travel limits.
• Non-State Actors: Groups or persons complicit in Iran's hostage activities, subject to sanctions reviews.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces executive authority under existing sanctions laws (Levinson Act, Executive Orders) while mandating transparency via reports, reducing discretion on waivers. The visa amendment aligns with U.S. treaty obligations (UN Headquarters Agreement) but prioritizes national security, as affirmed by the UN Headquarters Agreement Act (allowing security safeguards).
• Constitutional: Involves separation of powers, as Congress directs executive actions (e.g., reports, determinations) without infringing on the President's foreign affairs role; passport restrictions invoke executive regulatory power but could face challenges if seen as overreach on travel rights (protected under the Fifth Amendment's liberty interests).
• Political: Signals bipartisan concern over Iran's actions (introduced by Republicans with cross-party support), potentially influencing U.S. policy toward Iran amid ongoing nuclear and human rights tensions. The "no ransom" policy emphasizes deterrence over negotiation, which could politically constrain future administrations in hostage recovery efforts.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5]

Cosponsors (12)

Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2], Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27], Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41], Rep. Bresnahan, Robert [R-PA-8], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-09: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 45 - 6.
• 2025-04-09: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2025-04-03: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
• 2025-04-03: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
• 2025-04-03: Introduced in House
• 2025-04-03: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act — issued 2025-04-03 — PDF (13 pages)