Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act
Congress Moves to Sanction International Criminal Court Over Investigations of U.S. and Allies
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
243–140
Key Points
- This bill requires the government to punish officials from the International Criminal Court (ICC) if they try to investigate, arrest, or put on trial Americans or people from allied countries like Israel. The U.S. argues that because it never joined the court, the court has no legal power over its citizens or its partners.
- The punishments include freezing any money or property the court officials have in the United States. It also bans those officials and their immediate family members from traveling to the U.S. by canceling their visas and blocking them from entering the country.
- Congress is taking this action following the court's decision to issue arrest warrants for leaders in Israel. Lawmakers believe these warrants set a dangerous example that could eventually lead to the court targeting U.S. military members or government officials.
- The law cuts off all U.S. financial support for the court. Any money already set aside for the ICC would be taken back, and the government would be banned from giving the court any money in the future.
- The President can pause these punishments for 90 days at a time if they can prove it is vital to national security. However, the sanctions are meant to stay in place until the court permanently ends its investigations into the U.S. and its allies.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Foreign nationals working for or associated with the ICC could lose their U.S. visas immediately under this bill. Their immediate family members — spouses, parents, siblings, and adult children — would also be barred from entering the United States. This could affect ICC staff, prosecutors, judges, and their families who currently hold U.S. visas or travel to the U.S.
Milestones
Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 54 - 45. Record Vote Number: 22. (CR S410)
The Senate is voting on whether to even start debating this bill. This vote can be used to block bills before discussion begins.
Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S307)
The Senate is voting on whether to even start debating this bill. This vote can be used to block bills before discussion begins.
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S307)
The Senate is voting on whether to even start debating this bill. This vote can be used to block bills before discussion begins.
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 3.
The bill is now on the schedule for the full chamber to consider. It's in line for debate and a vote.
Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
The bill is now on the schedule for the full chamber to consider. It's in line for debate and a vote.
Vote Results
2 votesOn Passage
On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed
Related News
4 articlesSenate Dems, GOP negotiate changes to ICC sanctions bill ahead of key vote
Senate negotiators from both parties discussed potential changes to the House-passed ICC sanctions bill. Major concerns were raised by U.S. tech companies fearing the broad language could criminalize their cybersecurity support for the court's investigations into Russian war crimes.
House passes proposal sanctioning top war-crimes court after it sought Netanyahu arrest warrant
In a 247-155 vote, the House approved the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act. The bill targets ICC officials with economic sanctions and visa bans if they investigate or prosecute Americans or citizens of U.S. allies like Israel, which do not recognize the court's jurisdiction.
U.S. House votes to sanction International Criminal Court over warrants for Netanyahu and other Israeli officials
House Republicans, joined by dozens of Democrats, passed a bill to punish the ICC. The legislation came in response to the court's pursuit of war crimes charges against Israeli leaders, which lawmakers argued sets a dangerous precedent for U.S. personnel.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(38)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.