Return to PEACE Act

Bill Number

H.R. 5606

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-09-26: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2025-11-19T21:46:47Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Return to Palestinian Entities Accountability and Counterterrorism Enforcement Act" (or "Return to PEACE Act") aims to permanently enshrine (codify) existing U.S. sanctions that block visas for members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and officials of the Palestinian Authority (PA). These sanctions are tied to efforts to promote accountability and counter terrorism, while allowing limited temporary waivers under strict conditions.

Key Provisions

• Sanctions Codification: Starting from the date of enactment, visa denials for PLO members and PA officials—originally under section 604(a)(1) of the Middle East Peace Facilitation Act (as it existed on July 31, 2025)—will remain in place indefinitely, unless waived.
• Waiver Authority: The Secretary of State can temporarily lift sanctions for specific individuals on a case-by-case basis, for renewable periods of up to 180 days. This requires notifying relevant congressional committees (such as those overseeing foreign affairs) with a formal determination.
• Conditions for Waiver: The determination must confirm that the PLO and PA are not:
• Initiating or supporting actions in international organizations that undermine U.N. Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 (these resolutions focus on Middle East peace, including Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied in 1967 and calls for secure borders).
• Pursuing efforts to "internationalize" their conflict with Israel, such as through cases at the International Criminal Court (ICC) or International Court of Justice (ICJ).
• Continuing to support terrorism, including incitement or glorification of violence (e.g., in educational materials like textbooks).
• Providing payments or benefits to Palestinian individuals involved in terrorism or their families (often called "pay-for-slay" programs).
• Sunset Clause: The entire provision expires seven years after enactment, after which the codified sanctions would end unless renewed by Congress.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Permanent Codification: This makes the visa sanctions a fixed part of U.S. law, rather than relying on temporary or executive measures. It overrides potential easing of restrictions under the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107-228), which previously allowed broader waivers.
• Stricter Waiver Process: Waivers are now limited to short, renewable terms and require explicit congressional notification with detailed justifications, reducing flexibility compared to prior laws that permitted more general exemptions for peace process participants.
• Time-Limited Enforcement: Introduces a seven-year expiration, providing a built-in review mechanism not present in the original sanctions framework.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of State gains authority (but also bureaucratic requirements) to evaluate and report on PLO/PA compliance, potentially increasing administrative workload for visa processing and foreign policy monitoring. Congress must review waiver notifications, influencing oversight of executive foreign policy.
• On Citizens and International Relations: U.S. citizens and residents are indirectly affected through reinforced counterterrorism policies, which may limit interactions with sanctioned individuals. Internationally, this could strain U.S. relations with the Palestinian Authority and PLO by restricting official travel to the U.S., while signaling strong support for Israel's security concerns. It may complicate broader Middle East peace efforts by tying visa access to specific behavioral changes.
• Broader Effects: Palestinian officials and PLO members face ongoing barriers to U.S. entry, potentially hindering diplomacy, education, or business ties. No direct impact on U.S. citizens' rights, but it upholds sanctions aimed at deterring terrorism support.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Primary: Members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and officials of the Palestinian Authority (PA), who are directly subject to visa restrictions.
• Secondary: U.S. Department of State (handles waivers and determinations); U.S. Congress (receives notifications and can influence policy); Israeli government (benefits from accountability measures); Palestinian civilians and leadership (face indirect pressure to alter policies on terrorism and international actions).

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens U.S. sanctions law by embedding it in statute, making it harder for future administrations to unilaterally lift without congressional action. The waiver process ensures transparency but could lead to legal challenges if determinations are seen as politically motivated or if they infringe on international travel rights under treaties.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over immigration and foreign affairs (under Article I), but the case-by-case waivers delegate some executive discretion, potentially raising separation-of-powers questions if waivers are overly broad or narrow.
• Political: Reinforces U.S. bipartisan emphasis on counterterrorism and support for Israel, but may polarize views on Palestinian statehood and peace negotiations. The seven-year sunset allows for periodic reassessment amid evolving geopolitics, avoiding permanent entrenchment while pressuring the PLO/PA to meet conditions for normalized relations.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]

Recent Actions

• 2025-09-26: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-09-26: Introduced in House
• 2025-09-26: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Return to Palestinian Entities Accountability and Counterterrorism Enforcement Act — issued 2025-09-26 — PDF (3 pages)