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HR1998FEDERALSession 119Federal Billpassed chamber

Passed

Sanction Sea Pirates Act of 2025

Last action · June 24, 2025: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.Sponsors: Jonathan Jackson and 4 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Would Do

This bill mandates that the U.S. President impose financial and travel sanctions on foreign individuals identified as engaging in maritime piracy. It provides specific exceptions for humanitarian aid, international treaty obligations, and U.S. national security activities.

Why it matters

If passed, this law would grant the President new authority to freeze assets and revoke U.S. visas for foreign nationals involved in piracy, directly impacting international shipping security and diplomatic relations.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Foreign nationals engaged in piracy

These individuals face asset freezes and the revocation of U.S. travel privileges.

Indirectly affected

Humanitarian aid organizations

These groups are explicitly exempted from sanctions, allowing them to continue operations in affected regions.

Directly affected

U.S. President

The President is granted new authority and responsibility to identify pirates and implement sanctions.

Key Facts

The President is required to impose sanctions on any foreign person determined to be knowingly engaged in piracy.
Sanctions include blocking all property and financial interests of the individual within U.S. jurisdiction.
Individuals identified as pirates are rendered inadmissible to the U.S. and ineligible for visas.
Any existing U.S. visas held by identified pirates must be revoked immediately.

Show all 10 facts

Exceptions are provided for humanitarian assistance, including food, medicine, and medical devices.
Exceptions are provided for U.S. intelligence, law enforcement, and national security activities.
Exceptions are provided to comply with international obligations, such as the UN Headquarters Agreement.
The President may waive sanctions if they certify to Congress that the waiver is crucial to U.S. national security at least 15 days in advance.
Violations of these sanctions are subject to the penalties outlined in the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Judicial review of sanction determinations based on classified information may be conducted ex parte and in camera.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who does this bill target?

It targets foreign individuals or entities (non-U.S. persons) who are determined to be knowingly engaged in acts of piracy.

Does this bill stop humanitarian aid from reaching people in affected regions?

No, the bill explicitly exempts transactions related to humanitarian assistance, including food, medicine, and medical supplies.

Can the President choose not to sanction someone?

Yes, the President may waive sanctions if they certify to the relevant Congressional committees that the waiver is essential to U.S. national security.

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News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

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Where This Stands

Currently passed chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.

Procedural history

12 actions

Jun 24, 2025SenateCommittee
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Jun 23, 2025House
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jun 23, 2025HouseFloor
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 392 - 14 (Roll no. 172). (text: CR H2845-2846)
Jun 23, 2025HouseFloor
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 392 - 14 (Roll no. 172). (text: CR H2845-2846)
Jun 23, 2025House
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Jun 23, 2025House
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1998.

Show 6 earlier actions

Jun 23, 2025House
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2845-2846, H2877-2878)
Jun 23, 2025House
Mr. Burchett moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Apr 9, 2025HouseCommittee
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Voice Vote.
Apr 9, 2025House
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Mar 10, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
Mar 10, 2025HouseIntroduced
Introduced in House

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

What This Bill Would Do

Who It Would Affect

Key Facts

Frequently Asked Questions

News Coverage

Where This Stands

Procedural history

Version history

Voting Record

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