House Backs ICC Sanctions Bill
In one of its first acts in the 119th Congress, the House of Representatives passed a bill Jan. 9 that would sanction International Criminal Court (ICC) officials for issuing arrest warrants for Israeli officials over the war in Gaza (see 2501060025).
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The legislation received a 243-140 vote, with 198 Republicans and 45 Democrats voting yes, 140 Democrats voting no, 50 House members not voting, and one member voting present. Some lawmakers were absent to attend a funeral service for former President Jimmy Carter.
Proponents of the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act said the U.S. needs to send a message that Israel has a right to defend itself against Hamas without being harassed by a "kangaroo court." Opponents said the bill ignores the civilian casualties and humanitarian crisis that have afflicted Palestinians during Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said the bill was written too broadly and would curtail the ability of the U.S. to work with the ICC to counter Russia's human rights violations in Ukraine. He said the legislation also could lead to the sanctioning of U.S. allies that support the ICC with funding and staff. Even low-level ICC employees, such as janitors, who have nothing to do with the arrest warrants, could be sanctioned, he added.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, R-Fla., denied the bill is overly broad, saying it would give the president wide latitude to determine who would face sanctions.
The bill now heads to the Senate, where new Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has said he intends to hold a vote on ICC sanctions legislation soon (see 2501080053). Rep. Randy Weber, R-Texas, said he hopes Congress passes an ICC bill in time for President-elect Donald Trump to sign it into law on his first day in office Jan. 20.
Last year, a similar version of the bill cleared the House by a 247-155 vote but stalled in the Senate (see 2406050037).