Tracking and Restricting Adversarial Circumvention of Embargoes Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6528
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-09: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on 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
- 2026-04-10T21:46:11Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation aims to enhance U.S. oversight of potential sanctions evasion by requiring intelligence analysis and a determination on transactions between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and Iran, specifically focusing on Iranian oil purchases by China and Chinese support for Iran's ballistic missile program. This is intended to track and address circumvention of U.S. embargoes and sanctions.
Key Provisions
- Reporting Requirement (Section 2): The Director of National Intelligence must submit a report to specified congressional committees and the Secretary of the Treasury within 180 days of the bill's enactment. The report analyzes oil and ballistic missile-related transactions between the PRC and Iran, including:
- An assessment of PRC purchases of Iranian oil since 2020, with details on methods like transshipment points (rerouting shipments through intermediate locations) and shell companies (fake or intermediary businesses used to hide true ownership) to avoid U.S. sanctions.
- An assessment of significant financial transactions by PRC entities involving the sale, supply, or transfer to Iran of chemical precursors (basic chemicals used in production) and other materials that could support Iran's ballistic missile program.
- "Appropriate congressional committees" are defined as key Senate and House panels, including those on banking, commerce, armed services, foreign relations/affairs, and intelligence.
- Determination Requirement (Section 3): Within 6 months after the report is submitted, the Secretary of the Treasury must assess whether the PRC is engaging in any "sanctionable activities" (actions that violate or undermine U.S. sanctions) and report this determination to Congress.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new mandatory reporting and assessment requirements not previously specified in U.S. law. It does not amend existing statutes but adds targeted intelligence and Treasury obligations to monitor PRC-Iran interactions, building on broader U.S. sanctions frameworks (like those under the Iran Sanctions Act) without altering their core elements.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Increases workload for the Director of National Intelligence (for report preparation) and the Secretary of the Treasury (for analysis and determination), potentially requiring coordination with intelligence and financial monitoring resources. Congressional committees gain new information for oversight.
- On Citizens: Minimal direct impact on U.S. citizens, though it could indirectly affect energy prices or trade if it leads to escalated sanctions on global oil markets.
- On International Relations: Could strain U.S.-PRC relations by highlighting alleged sanctions evasion, potentially prompting diplomatic tensions or new sanctions on Chinese entities. It may also pressure Iran by exposing external support for its military programs, affecting broader Middle East stability and U.S. alliances.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Government Entities: Director of National Intelligence, Secretary of the Treasury, and listed congressional committees.
- Foreign Governments and Entities: People's Republic of China (government and private entities involved in oil purchases or missile-related transactions); Islamic Republic of Iran (its oil sector and ballistic missile program).
- International Actors: Global oil traders, shipping companies, and financial institutions that might be involved in transshipments or related deals, as well as U.S. allies monitoring sanctions compliance.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens enforcement of existing U.S. sanctions by mandating evidence-based assessments, which could provide grounds for future designations of sanctionable entities under laws like the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (a key tool for presidential sanctions authority). No direct challenges to constitutional separation of powers, as it aligns congressional oversight with executive intelligence functions.
- Constitutional: Supports Congress's role in foreign affairs and intelligence oversight under Article I, without infringing on executive foreign policy prerogatives.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan concern (introduced by Representatives Krishnamoorthi and Cline from different parties) over adversarial nations circumventing U.S. embargoes, potentially influencing U.S. strategy in countering Iran and China. It may fuel debates on sanctions efficacy but risks escalating geopolitical rivalries without immediate enforcement mechanisms.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-09: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on 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.
- 2025-12-09: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on 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.
- 2025-12-09: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Tracking and Restricting Adversarial Circumvention of Embargoes Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-09 — PDF (3 pages)