WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 23 · 119th Congress

Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act

Passed HouseInternational Affairs
IntroducedJan 3, 2025
Passed HouseJan 9, 2025
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Jan 28, 2025: 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 House passed it 243–140. From Iowa: Randy Feenstra cosponsors it. All 4 of Iowa's representatives voted yes in the House. It would change 0 sections of existing law and would add 4 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 23 doesn't change any existing section of law. It would create 4 new provisions of its own. Read from the bill text as placed on the Senate calendar (Jan 13, 2025).

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 2 Findings
  • Sec. 3 Sanctions with respect to the international criminal court
  • Sec. 4 Rescission of funds for international criminal court
  • Sec. 5 Definitions
What the words would change: every change, in place (0)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

    From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

    What it does

    Sourced

    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.

    Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Jan 3, 2025).

    Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

    What has happened

    Sourced
    1. Jan 28, 2025Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 54 - 45. Record Vote Number: 22. (CR S410) Roll call recordSenate
    2. Jan 23, 2025Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S307)Senate
    3. Jan 23, 2025Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S307)Senate
    4. Jan 13, 2025Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 3.Senate
    5. Jan 9, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
    6. Jan 9, 2025On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 243 - 140, 1 Present (Roll no. 7). (text: CR H67-69) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
    7. Jan 9, 2025Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 243 - 140, 1 Present (Roll no. 7). (text: CR H67-69) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
    8. Jan 9, 2025Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H75-76)House floor actions
    9. Jan 9, 2025POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 23, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Mast demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.House floor actions
    10. Jan 9, 2025The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
    11. Jan 9, 2025DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 23.House floor actions
    12. Jan 9, 2025Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 5. (consideration: CR H67-74)House floor actions
    13. Jan 9, 2025Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.Senate
    14. Jan 3, 2025Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committees on the Judiciary, and Appropriations.House floor actions
    15. Jan 3, 2025Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committees on the Judiciary, and Appropriations.House floor actions
    16. Jan 3, 2025Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committees on the Judiciary, and Appropriations.House floor actions
    17. Jan 3, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
    18. Jan 3, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

    Show key steps only

    Recorded votes

    Sourced
    1. Jan 9, 2025 · HousePassed 243–140
      Iowa: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn yes
      On Passage · needed a majority
      R 198 yes, 0 noD 45 yes, 140 noEach member · Record
    1 other recorded vote (procedure and amendments)
    1. Jan 28, 2025 · SenateCloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected 54–45
      Iowa: Joni Ernst yes, Chuck Grassley yes
      On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed · needed three-fifths
      R 53 yes, 0 noI 0 yes, 2 noD 1 yes, 43 noEach member · Record

    Cosponsors

    From Iowa

    Everyone else (37)

    • Jodey C. Arrington R-TX-19
    • Andy Barr R-KY-6
    • Tom Barrett R-MI-7
    • Andy Biggs R-AZ-5
    • Vern Buchanan R-FL-16
    • Ben Cline R-VA-6
    • Michael Cloud R-TX-27
    • Elijah Crane R-AZ-2
    • Dan Crenshaw R-TX-2
    • Jake Ellzey R-TX-6
    • Brad Finstad R-MN-1
    • Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann R-TN-3
    Show 25 more cosponsors
    • Brandon Gill R-TX-26
    • Lance Gooden R-TX-5
    • Rep. Mark E. Green R-TN-7
    • Michael Guest R-MS-3
    • Clay Higgins R-LA-3
    • Erin Houchin R-IN-9
    • Wesley Hunt R-TX-38
    • Brian Jack R-GA-3
    • Ronny Jackson R-TX-13
    • Thomas H. Kean, Jr. R-NJ-7
    • Nicholas A. Langworthy R-NY-23
    • Michael Lawler R-NY-17
    • Brian J. Mast R-FL-21
    • Michael T. McCaul R-TX-10
    • Richard McCormick R-GA-7
    • John J. McGuire III R-VA-5
    • Max L. Miller R-OH-7
    • John W. Rose R-TN-6
    • Keith Self R-TX-3
    • Pete Sessions R-TX-17
    • Claudia Tenney R-NY-24
    • Beth Van Duyne R-TX-24
    • Randy K. Weber, Sr. R-TX-14
    • Joe Wilson R-SC-2
    • Steve Womack R-AR-3