Search for members, bills, votes, committees, hearings, and nominations
If enacted, S. 842 would require the State Department to assess whether any Latin American country qualifies as a terrorist sanctuary based on Hezbollah's operations there. The bill reflects concerns that Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed organization, has expanded its presence in the region through criminal networks, money laundering, and smuggling operations, while most Latin American countries have not designated it as a terrorist organization. This assessment would be completed within 180 days of enactment.
Once a country is designated as a terrorist sanctuary under the bill, the President would gain authority to impose visa restrictions on government officials from those countries unless they demonstrate significant efforts to stop Hezbollah activities. The bill also directs the State Department to work with Latin American governments to strengthen their legal tools for investigating terrorism and to encourage them to formally designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. Any sanctions imposed would expire five years after enactment, though the President could waive restrictions on a case-by-case basis for national security reasons or to comply with international obligations.
The bill has passed out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and is now eligible for a full Senate floor vote. It would require presidential signature to become law.
AI-generated summary
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Mar 27, 2025
Mar 27, 2025 · 15:00
The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations convened on March 27, 2025, for a business meeting to consider a wide range of legislation and nominations. The bills under consideration addressed diverse foreign policy priorities, including measures to combat synthetic opioid trafficking and illicit gold mining in the Western Hemisphere, support democracy in Georgia and Hong Kong, establish a registry for Korean American divided families, increase reporting on Taiwan policy, counter Hezbollah activities in Latin America, and promote religious freedom internationally. The committee also considered resolutions expressing support for International Women's Day, clarifying distinctions between China's "One China Principle" and the U.S. "One China Policy," and recognizing Greece's independence and democratic traditions. Additionally, the committee reviewed nominations for three State Department ambassadors: Peter Hoekstra to Canada, George Glass to Japan, and Ronald Johnson to Mexico. As a business meeting rather than a hearing with witness testimony, this session focused on committee consideration of the proposed legislation and nominations. No witnesses were listed as providing testimony. The meeting represents the committee's initial step in evaluating these foreign policy measures, though consideration at a business meeting does not guarantee that any of the bills or nominations will advance further in the legislative process.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Apr 28, 2025
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Apr 28, 2025
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Mar 27, 2025
Mar 27, 2025 · 15:00
The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations convened on March 27, 2025, for a business meeting to consider a wide range of legislation and nominations. The bills under consideration addressed diverse foreign policy priorities, including measures to combat synthetic opioid trafficking and illicit gold mining in the Western Hemisphere, support democracy in Georgia and Hong Kong, establish a registry for Korean American divided families, increase reporting on Taiwan policy, counter Hezbollah activities in Latin America, and promote religious freedom internationally. The committee also considered resolutions expressing support for International Women's Day, clarifying distinctions between China's "One China Principle" and the U.S. "One China Policy," and recognizing Greece's independence and democratic traditions. Additionally, the committee reviewed nominations for three State Department ambassadors: Peter Hoekstra to Canada, George Glass to Japan, and Ronald Johnson to Mexico. As a business meeting rather than a hearing with witness testimony, this session focused on committee consideration of the proposed legislation and nominations. No witnesses were listed as providing testimony. The meeting represents the committee's initial step in evaluating these foreign policy measures, though consideration at a business meeting does not guarantee that any of the bills or nominations will advance further in the legislative process.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Apr 28, 2025
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Apr 28, 2025
Congress
119th Congress
Introduced
Mar 4, 2025
