H.R. 2012 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, the Judiciary, Ways and Means, Oversight and Government Reform, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned, Mar 10, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryRequires congressional review of Iran sanctions decisions
This bill gives Congress a role in decisions to lift or waive sanctions on Iran. When the President wants to terminate or waive Iran sanctions, or take a licensing action that would significantly change U.S. policy toward Iran, they must first report to Congress explaining what they're doing and why. Congress then gets 30 days (or 60 days during a certain time period in summer) to review the report and vote on whether to approve or disapprove the action. The President cannot move forward with the action during this review period unless Congress votes to approve it, and cannot proceed at all if Congress votes to disapprove it.
How it affects you
This change mainly affects how the federal government operates at the highest levels. If you work in foreign policy, national security, or Congress, this creates a new process you'd be involved in. For most Americans, the practical impact depends on what sanctions decisions the President makes in the future and whether Congress approves them—but this bill itself doesn't change any current laws or policies, just adds a review step to future decisions.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Mar 10, 2025)
Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act of 2025
This bill restricts the President's authority to unilaterally undertake certain actions with respect to Iran and increases congressional oversight of those actions.
Specifically, the President must report to Congress before terminating or waiving sanctions related to Iran or taking a licensing action that significantly alters U.S. foreign policy with respect to Iran.
Each report must (1) describe the proposed action and its rationale, and (2) indicate whether or not the action is intended to significantly alter foreign policy concerning Iran. If the intention is to alter that policy, the report must provide additional information including the policy objectives for which the affected sanctions were initially imposed and the anticipated effects of the action on U.S. national security interests.
After the President submits a report, the bill provides Congress with a 30-day period to review it; this period is extended to 60 days for reports submitted between July 10 and September 7. During this period, Congress may enact a joint resolution approving or disapproving the action.
During the review period, the President may not take the action unless Congress passes a joint resolution of approval; if Congress enacts a joint resolution of disapproval, the bill prohibits the President from taking the action.
The bill also outlines procedures for the introduction and consideration of these types of joint resolutions.
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. 2012
A BILL
Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Keith Self (R-TX-3) · Introduced Mar 10, 2025 · International Affairs · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 10, 2025: “Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, the Judiciary, Ways and Means, Oversight and Government Reform, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.”