RESCUE Act

Bill Number

H.R. 8106

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-03-26: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, 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

2026-05-11T20:20:07Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Rosatom Energy Sanctions Compliance and Unified Enforcement Act (RESCUE Act) aims to impose sanctions on Russia's state nuclear energy corporation, Rosatom, and related entities. It seeks to end U.S. reliance on Russian nuclear energy due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, promote alternatives for U.S. allies, limit Russia's nuclear-related revenue, and prevent Rosatom from being used for malign influence abroad.

Key Provisions

• Statement of Policy (Sec. 2): Declares U.S. goals to decouple from Russian nuclear energy, assist allies in finding alternatives, impose sanctions/export controls on Rosatom, and counter its global influence.
• Presidential Strategy (Sec. 3): Requires the President to submit a strategy within 180 days (and annually for 4 years) covering ally coordination, supply chain vulnerabilities, consultations, IAEA fuel bank support, and sanction evasion prevention. Submitted unclassified with possible classified annex.
• Mandatory Sanctions on Rosatom (Sec. 4): Starting 180 days after enactment:
• Blocks all U.S.-related property/transactions (asset freeze) for Rosatom entities, foreign persons operating in Russia's nuclear sector owned/controlled by Russia, those engaging in new reactor contracts/services with such entities, and their affiliates.
• Allows restrictions on U.S. bank accounts of facilitating foreign financial institutions.
• Termination: Possible if Russia ends Ukraine aggression, restores borders, complies with arms treaties, and Rosatom stops misuse of U.S. nuclear material/funding occupation.
• Waivers/Exceptions: Case-by-case national security waivers (180 days, renewable); longer for medical/industrial isotopes if U.S. supply is insufficient; exceptions for intelligence, UN activities, reactor safety, humanitarian aid, and UN headquarters compliance.
• Sunset: Sanctions authority ends after 7 years.
• Congressional Oversight (Sec. 5): President must respond within 30 days to committee requests on whether persons violate sanctions or related regulations.
• Russia "123 Agreement" Review (Sec. 6): Affirms U.S. policy on nuclear cooperation agreements; requires a 90-day report assessing the 2011 U.S.-Russia peaceful nuclear energy pact, Rosatom's role in Ukraine/Zaporizhzhia issues, proliferation risks, and benefits of staying/withdrawing.
• Definitions (Sec. 7): Clarifies terms like "appropriate congressional committees," "foreign person," "U.S. person," and "Rosatom."

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces mandatory sanctions specifically targeting Rosatom (previously discretionary under broader Russia sanctions like those in 31 CFR Parts 587/589).
• Mandates a multi-year decoupling strategy and detailed reporting on the U.S.-Russia "123 Agreement" (a nuclear cooperation pact under the Atomic Energy Act).
• Adds congressional review mechanisms for sanction determinations and ties sanction termination/waivers to specific Russia-Ukraine conditions.
• Leverages International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) for implementation, with explicit penalties and regulatory timelines.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: State, Treasury, and Energy Departments must develop/implement strategy, promulgate regulations (within 180 days), and provide reports; increases executive workload and congressional oversight.
• Citizens: Minimal direct impact due to exceptions (e.g., medical isotopes), but could raise costs if U.S. shifts nuclear supply chains; protects against reliance on sanctioned Russian sources.
• International Relations: Pressures allies to abandon Rosatom contracts/services, supports IAEA uranium bank; strains U.S.-Russia nuclear ties, may boost U.S./allied nuclear exports but risks shortages in reactor maintenance globally.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Rosatom and Russian Government: Primary targets; face asset freezes, transaction bans, revenue loss.
• Foreign Persons/Entities: Nuclear firms dealing with Rosatom (e.g., new reactor builders/service providers) and their financial institutions.
• U.S. Allies/Partners: Countries reliant on Rosatom for reactors/fuel (e.g., in Europe, Asia); gain U.S. assistance for alternatives but face transition costs.
• U.S. Nuclear Industry: Opportunities to replace Rosatom in services/supply chains.
• International Bodies: IAEA (fuel bank support); affected by reduced Russian nuclear influence.
• Global Financial Institutions: Risk account restrictions if aiding sanctioned activities.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Relies on IEEPA for broad executive powers (asset blocking), with built-in checks (waivers, termination certifications to Congress); exceptions preserve humanitarian/reactor safety obligations; 7-year sunset limits duration.
• Constitutional: Enhances congressional role in foreign policy via mandatory sanctions/oversight, balancing executive flexibility.
• Political: Signals strong U.S. stance against Russia's Ukraine war; promotes non-proliferation by scrutinizing Rosatom's global role (e.g., China links, Zaporizhzhia misuse); could influence nuclear arms control treaties and ally coordination without mandating full "123 Agreement" termination.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7]

Recent Actions

• 2026-03-26: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, 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.
• 2026-03-26: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, 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.
• 2026-03-26: Introduced in House
• 2026-03-26: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Rosatom Energy Sanctions Compliance and Unified Enforcement Act — issued 2026-03-26 — PDF (19 pages)