What does Preamble of HR 7857 do?

This bill aims to impose sanctions on foreign persons. The sanctions target individuals determined by the President to have knowingly engaged in, facilitated, or benefitted from severe forms of trafficking in persons. The trafficking must be connected to the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking enterprise or efforts to conceal, facilitate, finance, or profit from it.

What does SHORT TITLE. of HR 7857 do?

This bill is formally titled the No Escaping Justice Act of 2026.

What does DEFINITIONS. of HR 7857 do?

This section defines terms used throughout the Act. “Appropriate congressional committees” are specified as certain committees in the House and Senate. “Epstein-related records” encompass records held by the Department of State and Department of Justice pertaining to specific sections of the Epstein Files Transparency Act (Public Law 119-38). “Foreign person” is defined as any person who is not a United States person. “Knowingly” means having actual knowledge or should have known of specific actions, circumstances, or results. “Severe forms of trafficking in persons” adopts the definition from the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. “United States person” includes U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and entities organized under U.S. laws.

What does IDENTIFICATION OF SANCTIONABLE PERSONS. of HR 7857 do?

This section establishes a process for identifying foreign persons involved in the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking enterprise. The President, in consultation with specified Secretaries and the Attorney General, must submit a report to congressional committees. The report is required within 90 days of the Act's enactment and annually for five years. The report identifies foreign persons determined to have knowingly engaged in specific conduct related to the Epstein enterprise. Sanctionable conduct includes severe forms of trafficking in persons, aiding trafficking, benefiting financially from trafficking, and obstructing investigations or retaliating against victims or law enforcement. Credible information for identifying individuals may include information from U.S. government agencies, judicial proceedings, foreign governments, NGOs, and Epstein-related records. The report must be submitted in unclassified form, with a possible classified annex, and should protect victim privacy and safety.

What does IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS. of HR 7857 do?

This section outlines the imposition of sanctions on foreign persons identified in a report. The President is required to impose sanctions described in subsections (b) and (c) with respect to those foreign persons, except as provided in section 5. Asset blocking sanctions will be implemented using the President's powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Foreign persons subject to these sanctions will be inadmissible to the United States, ineligible for visas, and otherwise ineligible for admission or parole. The Secretary of State must revoke any existing visas or entry documentation for these foreign persons. Penalties for violating the prohibitions in this section will be applied according to section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

What does WAIVER; EXCEPTIONS; TERMINATION. of HR 7857 do?

The President has the authority to waive sanctions outlined in section 4 if deemed in the national interest or related to authorized U.S. activities. Waivers require notification to congressional committees, submitted no later than 15 days before they take effect, along with a justification. Sanctions under section 4(c) are not applicable when necessary to comply with international obligations, such as the United Nations Headquarters Agreement. The President must terminate sanctions under section 4 if they determine the sanctioned person did not engage in the conduct for which they were sanctioned. Termination can also occur if the person has been prosecuted and sentenced, or has demonstrated a significant change in behavior, provided cooperation, and remediated harm to victims. A process will be established allowing sanctioned individuals to petition for termination of sanctions.

What does BRIEFING. of HR 7857 do?

This section requires the President, through relevant federal departments or agencies, to provide briefings to congressional committees. Briefings can be classified. The briefings will cover the status of the Act's implementation.

What does RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. of HR 7857 do?

This section establishes a rule of construction for the Act. The Act states that it should not be interpreted in a way that changes, impacts, or lessens the Attorney General's responsibilities under the Epstein Files Transparency Act (Public Law 119-38).

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No Escaping Justice Act of 2026 — HR. 7857

Last updated: 3/5/2026 · Introduced: 3/5/2026

Author: Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill authorizes the President to impose sanctions, including visa denials and asset blocking, on foreign individuals determined to have been involved in, facilitated, or profited from the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking enterprise or efforts to conceal it.
The President must submit annual reports to Congress identifying foreign persons engaged in sanctionable conduct related to the Epstein enterprise, drawing on information from various sources including government agencies and judicial proceedings.
The President can waive sanctions if deemed in the national interest, but must notify Congress and establish a process for sanctioned individuals to petition for termination of sanctions based on demonstrated behavioral changes or cooperation.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 6 more.

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