Encouraging the EU to DESIGNATE Resolution

Bill Number

H.Res. 176

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-02-27: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Last Updated

2026-03-05T09:06:43Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 176) aims to urge the European Union (EU) to quickly label the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—a branch of Iran's military—as a terrorist organization under the EU's Common Position 931, a 2001 rule that allows the EU to impose anti-terrorism measures on groups deemed threats. The resolution highlights the IRGC's history of supporting terrorism, human rights abuses, and threats to global security, drawing on "Whereas" clauses to build its case.

Key Provisions

• Short Title: The resolution is titled the "Encouraging the European Union to Determine that the European Union Should Sanction the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Now As a Terrorist Entity Resolution" or the "Encouraging the EU to DESIGNATE Resolution."
• Main Actions:
• Urges the EU to promptly designate the entire IRGC as a terrorist organization under Common Position 931, which enables asset freezes, travel bans, and other restrictions if a "competent authority" (like a court or government body) identifies the group as terrorist.
• Encourages the Trump administration to make this EU designation a top diplomatic priority in talks with EU leaders.
• Welcomes broader international efforts to label the IRGC as a terrorist group, noting prior designations by the U.S. (2019) and Canada (2024), and strong support from the European Parliament.

The preamble details IRGC activities, such as suppressing protests in Iran (e.g., after Mahsa Amini's death in 2022), funding groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, aiding Russia's war in Ukraine with drones, and plotting assassinations in Europe and the U.S.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This is a non-binding resolution, so it does not amend or create new U.S. law. It builds on existing U.S. policy by reinforcing the 2019 designation of the IRGC as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) under U.S. law, but it focuses on pressuring the EU to align its policies rather than altering domestic statutes.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: U.S. diplomatic efforts could intensify, involving the State Department in pushing EU allies, potentially straining or strengthening transatlantic relations. EU agencies might face pressure to review IRGC sanctions, leading to expanded enforcement like freezing IRGC-linked assets in Europe.
• On Citizens: Iranian dissidents, journalists, and minorities could benefit from reduced IRGC influence abroad, but European citizens might face heightened security risks from IRGC retaliation. U.S. and European victims of IRGC-backed attacks (e.g., October 7, 2023, Hamas assault) could see more accountability.
• On International Relations: Could escalate tensions with Iran, prompting threats or actions against the West (as noted with IRGC commander warnings). It supports U.S.-EU counterterrorism cooperation but might complicate EU-Iran nuclear talks or trade, while bolstering alliances against Russia and Iranian proxies in the Middle East and Ukraine.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Congress and Administration: Sponsors (bipartisan group including Reps. Tenney, Schneider, and others) and the executive branch, tasked with diplomatic advocacy.
• European Union and Member States: EU institutions (e.g., Council, Parliament) and countries like the Netherlands, Germany, and France, which have countered IRGC plots; they could face internal debates on full designation.
• Iran and IRGC: The Iranian regime, IRGC leaders, and affiliates (e.g., Quds Force, Basij) would encounter broader sanctions, limiting operations in Europe.
• International Community: Allies like Canada, the UK (considering its own designation), and groups targeted by IRGC proxies (e.g., Ukraine, Israel, dissidents worldwide).
• Civilians and Victims: Protesters in Iran, European/U.S. targets of IRGC plots, and communities affected by IRGC-supported terrorism.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Relies on EU's Common Position 931, which defines terrorism broadly and allows third-country input (like the U.S.) for designations; a full IRGC label could trigger automatic EU-wide sanctions without needing unanimous member-state approval, unlike some other EU decisions.
• Constitutional: As a simple House resolution, it aligns with Congress's constitutional role in foreign policy oversight (Article I) but carries no legal force, serving as a symbolic expression of U.S. will.
• Political: Signals bipartisan U.S. consensus on Iran as a threat, potentially influencing the 2025 Trump administration's foreign policy. It amplifies European Parliament votes (e.g., 598-9 in 2023) for pressure on EU holdouts, but risks politicizing EU decisions amid ongoing Iran nuclear negotiations, possibly hindering diplomacy while advancing anti-terrorism goals.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]

Cosponsors (23)

Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4], Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17], Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7], Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]

Recent Actions

• 2025-02-27: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
• 2025-02-27: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Encouraging the European Union to Determine that the European Union Should Sanction the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Now As a Terrorist Entity Resolution — issued 2025-02-27 — PDF (5 pages)