What does Preamble of No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act do?

This bill requires a report on sanctions under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act The bill was introduced to the House of Representatives and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary

What does SHORT TITLE. of No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act do?

This bill is formally titled the ``No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act''.

What does FINDINGS. of No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act do?

This section establishes findings related to Iran's history of hostage-taking. It notes Iran's detention of 52 American diplomats from 1979 to 1981. The Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act is referenced as authorizing sanctions against those responsible for hostage-taking. Robert Levinson, considered the longest-held hostage in U.S. history, is mentioned, and it is stated he is presumed to have been killed by the Iranian regime.

What does STATEMENT OF POLICY. of No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act do?

This section states the policy of the United States The policy aims to deter hostage-taking and wrongful detention of US nationals

What does REPORT AND CERTIFICATION ON RESTRICTED IRANIAN FUNDS RELEASED of No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act do?

This section mandates periodic reporting on $6,000,000,000 in Iranian funds transferred from South Korea to Qatar. The President must submit reports to specified House and Senate committees every 180 days for six years, starting 90 days after enactment. Reports must detail transactions involving the funds, including itemized lists of purchases, parties involved, and destinations. The reports must also certify whether credible evidence exists that the funds were not used for humanitarian purposes or enabled increased Iranian spending on defense or malign activities. The report must describe the U.S. government's process for reviewing transactions to verify their humanitarian nature.

What does REVIEW AND DETERMINATION AND REPORTS ON SANCTIONS UNDER THE of No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act do?

The President must review cases of hostage-taking and unlawful detention of US nationals in Iran within 180 days and annually for 6 years. The President must make a determination on whether foreign persons are responsible for or complicit in these cases. The President must submit reports to congressional committees identifying foreign persons involved and sanctions imposed or waived.

What does REQUIREMENT TO LIMIT TRAVEL OF IRANIAN DIPLOMATS AT THE UNITED of No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act do?

This section expresses a sense of Congress that Iran's actions, including hostage-taking, assassination plots, and intelligence activities, pose a security threat to the United States. It directs the President to consider these actions when limiting the travel of Iranian diplomats and their family members seeking admission to the United States for United Nations activities. The section amends Section 407(a)(1) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act to include individuals sanctioned under Executive Orders 13224 and 13382 as grounds for visa denial. The President is required to submit annual reports to Congress detailing actions taken to restrict the travel of Iranian diplomats and their family members for United Nations activities. The findings cite the United Nations Headquarters Agreement Act and its provision safeguarding the United States’ right to safeguard its own security.

What does REPORT ON BLOCKED IRANIAN ASSETS. of No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act do?

The President must submit a report to congressional committees within 180 days of enactment and annually for 3 years. The report includes an itemized list of blocked Iranian assets valued over $100,000. The report also includes changes to the status of such assets and any US Government actions related to unblocking or unfreezing.

What does REPORT ON INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO FREEZE AND SEIZE IRANIAN of No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act do?

This section expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, and Attorney General should coordinate international efforts to identify, restrain, freeze, and seize assets of sanctioned individuals and entities connected to Iran's activities. The coordinated effort should include sharing financial intelligence with foreign governments and overseeing identified assets. Foreign governments should receive technical assistance to establish legal frameworks for asset forfeitures. The President is required to submit a report to congressional committees detailing these actions, initially within 180 days of the Act's enactment, and annually for three years thereafter.

What does DETERMINATION AND REPORT ON INVALIDATING UNITED STATES of No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act do?

This section concerns the potential invalidation of US passports for travel to Iran. The Secretary of State has authority to restrict passport use in areas of imminent danger to public health or physical safety. Congress suggests the Secretary should declare US passports invalid for travel to Iran due to the threat of wrongful detention or hostage-taking.

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No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act

Last updated: 4/9/2025 · Introduced: 4/3/2025

Author: Michael Baumgartner (R-WA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill mandates regular reports on the use of $6 billion in Iranian funds transferred from South Korea to Qatar, scrutinizing whether they are used for humanitarian purposes or support Iranian defense activities.
The President must review cases of hostage-taking and unlawful detention of U.S. nationals in Iran, determine responsibility, and report on sanctions imposed.
The bill directs the President to consider limiting the travel of Iranian diplomats and their families seeking entry to the U.S. for United Nations activities, potentially denying visas based on sanctions.
The government must report annually on blocked Iranian assets valued over $100,000, detailing changes in their status and any actions related to unblocking them.
The bill requires the development of a strategy to deter wrongful detention and hostage-taking by adversaries, including penalties and a policy against ransom payments.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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