Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act
Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act
Plain Language Summary
# Summary of HR 23: Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act **What the bill does:** This legislation would punish foreign individuals and organizations that help the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigate or prosecute certain people. If the ICC attempts to investigate, arrest, or prosecute someone the U.S. considers "protected," the President would be required to impose sanctions—such as travel bans and freezing assets—against foreign persons who assisted in those ICC actions. **Who it affects:** The bill protects U.S. citizens, U.S. companies, and residents of allied countries (unless those countries have formally agreed to ICC authority). In practical terms, it could affect foreign government officials, employees, and organizations in countries that support ICC investigations.
The bill appears designed to shield Americans and allies from ICC jurisdiction, particularly regarding investigations involving U.S. personnel. **Current status:** The bill passed the House of Representatives. It would need Senate approval before becoming law. The measure reflects ongoing U.S. skepticism toward the ICC—the United States is not a member of the court and has historically opposed its authority over American citizens and allies.
CRS Official Summary
Illegitimate Court Counteraction ActThis bill imposes sanctions against foreign persons (individuals and entities) who assist the International Criminal Court (ICC) in investigating, arresting, detaining, or prosecuting certain individuals.The bill categorizes as protected persons (1) any U.S. individual, U.S. entity, or person in the United States, unless the United States is a state party to the Rome Statute of the ICC and provides formal consent to ICC jurisdiction; and (2) any foreign person that is a citizen or lawful resident of a U.S. ally that is not a state party to the Rome Statute or has not consented to ICC jurisdiction.If the ICC attempts to investigate, arrest, detain or prosecute a protected person, the President must impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions against the foreign persons that engaged in or materially assisted in such actions, as well as against foreign persons owned by, controlled by, or acting on behalf of such foreign persons. The President must also apply visa-blocking sanctions to the immediate family members of those sanctioned.Upon enactment, the bill rescinds all funds appropriated for the ICC and prohibits the subsequent use of appropriated funds for the ICC.
Latest Action
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)