Protecting Americans from Russian Litigation Act of 2025
Sens. Cornyn and Padilla Introduce Bill to Block Foreign Lawsuits Against U.S. Companies Following Sanctions
This bill has been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and is now waiting for a vote by the full Senate. It is currently placed on the legislative calendar and is actively moving forward. There is no companion bill listed at this time.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill prevents foreign entities from using U.S. courts to enforce judgments or arbitration awards against Americans who complied with U.S. sanctions or export controls. If a U.S. company stopped doing business with a sanctioned country to follow the law, a foreign court ruling against that company cannot be collected in the United States.
From policy text
“no person (other than the United States or a person acting on behalf of the United States) may bring a civil action in Federal or State court to enforce any foreign judgment or foreign arbitral award arising from a claim where-- ``(1) the underlying conduct or circumstances giving rise to the claim resulted from actions to comply with United States sanctions impeding the performance of a contract”
View in full text - American companies or individuals sued under these circumstances can move the case to federal court, where the judge must dismiss it immediately. This gives businesses a fast, reliable way to end retaliatory foreign lawsuits.
From policy text
“An action to recognize or enforce a foreign judgment or foreign arbitral award described in subsection (a) may be removed by any defendant to the appropriate United States district court, which shall dismiss the action.”
View in full text - The bill specifically protects the rights of terrorism victims and people with contracts that already call for disputes to be resolved in U.S. courts or U.S.-based arbitration. Those claims are not blocked by this law.
From policy text
“Nothing in this section may be construed to limit-- ``(1) the authority of the President, any delegate of the President (including the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury), or any other officer or official of the United States to bring any action”
View in full text - The law applies retroactively to cases already pending in court when it is enacted, meaning companies currently facing these kinds of foreign enforcement actions would get immediate protection.
From policy text
“Section 1660 of title 28, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), applies with respect to civil actions pending on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.”
View in full text - Introduced with bipartisan support by Sens. Cornyn and Padilla, the bill reflects a policy goal of ensuring that foreign governments and entities cannot weaponize their legal systems to punish Americans for following U.S. national security rules.
From policy text
“to ensure that foreign persons, or persons acting on their behalf, cannot obtain compensation for any action related to United States persons attempting in good faith to comply with their obligations under United States sanctions or export controls.”
View in full text
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Milestones
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 367.
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley without amendment. Without written report.
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in Senate
Related News
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Fitzgerald Co-Introduces Bill to Protect American Businesses from Russian Lawfare
Congressman Scott Fitzgerald co-introduced legislation to shield U.S. persons from frivolous lawsuits resulting from good faith compliance with U.S. sanctions. The bill aims to close a legal loophole exploited by Russian litigants to seek damages in U.S. federal courts based on Russian rulings.
CEPR Sanctions Watch December 2024
The House of Representatives passed the Protecting Americans from Russian Litigation Act of 2024 (H.R. 9563). If enacted, it would prevent entities that break contracts due to newly enacted sanctions from being sued in US federal courts, potentially incentivizing stricter sanctions compliance.
Related Bills
1 billSource Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Protecting Americans from Russian Litigation Act of 2025
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(1)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.