Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act
1/29/2025, 1:50 PMSummary of Bill HR 23
Bill 119 HR 23, also known as the Protecting United States Personnel and Allies from the International Criminal Court Act, aims to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) if it attempts to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute any individual considered a protected person of the United States and its allies. The bill is designed to prevent the ICC from taking action against US military personnel, government officials, or citizens, as well as those of US allies.The bill seeks to protect these individuals from potential prosecution by the ICC, which is an international tribunal established to prosecute individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Supporters of the bill argue that the ICC's jurisdiction should not extend to US personnel and allies, as they believe that these individuals are already subject to the laws and regulations of their own countries.
Opponents of the bill, however, argue that it undermines the authority of the ICC and could potentially shield individuals from accountability for serious crimes. They argue that the ICC plays a crucial role in holding individuals accountable for atrocities committed around the world and that the US should not seek to exempt itself or its allies from its jurisdiction. Overall, Bill 119 HR 23 is a controversial piece of legislation that raises important questions about the balance between national sovereignty and international accountability. It remains to be seen how the bill will be received by Congress and what its implications will be for US involvement with the ICC.
Congressional Summary of HR 23
Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act
This 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.
