H.R. 1998 · Where this bill is now
In the Senate
Passed the House Jun 23, 2025. Received Jun 24, 2025; no Senate vote yet
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryRequires sanctions against foreign sea pirates
Ever wondered how the U.S. government responds to piracy on the high seas. This bill requires the President to impose sanctions—blocking visas and property—against foreign individuals and groups that engage in piracy. It also sets up civil and criminal penalties for anyone who violates or helps others violate the rules put in place to enforce these sanctions.
How it affects you
This primarily affects foreign pirates and those who might support them. For most Americans, this means the government has a clearer tool to punish piracy happening on international waters, which can protect shipping routes and commerce.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Mar 10, 2025)
Sanction Sea Pirates Act of 2025
This bill requires the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on any foreign person (individual or entity) that the President determines knowingly engages in piracy.
The bill also applies civil and criminal penalties to persons that violate, attempt to violate, conspire to violate, or cause a violation of the regulations promulgated to carry out such sanctions.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 1998
AN ACT
Sanction Sea Pirates Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Jonathan L. Jackson (D-IL-1) · Introduced Mar 10, 2025 · International Affairs · 3 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jun 24, 2025: “Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.”
How Congress voted
Official roll callsHouse · On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Jun 23, 2025
Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 392–14
| Party | Yes | No | Didn’t vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 190 | 7 | 15 |
| Republicans | 202 | 7 | 10 |
14 members voted against most of their party: 7 Democrats voted No and 7 Republicans voted No.
Congress votes on whole bills and amendments, not on single sections.