Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

H.R.es438 - Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2548) to impose sanctions and other measures with respect to the Russian Federation if the Government of the Russian Federation refuses to negotiate a peace agreement with Ukraine, violates any such agreement, or initiates another military invasion of Ukraine, and for other purposes. (119th Congress)

Summary

H.Res.438 is a resolution providing for the consideration of H.R. 2548, a bill that aims to impose sanctions and other measures on the Russian Federation under specific conditions related to negotiations, agreements, or military actions involving Ukraine. The resolution outlines the procedures for debating and amending H.R. 2548 in the House of Representatives.

It waives certain points of order and sets time limits for debate. The resolution also specifies that an amendment in the nature of a substitute, submitted by Representative Fitzpatrick, will be considered as adopted.

Expected Effects

If adopted, H.Res.438 will expedite the House's consideration of H.R. 2548, potentially leading to a vote on sanctions against Russia. This could result in increased economic pressure on Russia, depending on the content of H.R. 2548.

The expedited process limits debate and amendment opportunities, streamlining the legislative process.

Potential Benefits

  • Strengthened national security through deterrence of Russian aggression.
  • Potential stabilization of the geopolitical landscape in Eastern Europe.
  • Reinforcement of international norms and the rule of law.
  • Demonstration of US commitment to supporting Ukraine's sovereignty.
  • Could lead to a more peaceful resolution of the conflict.

Potential Disadvantages

  • Potential for unintended economic consequences due to sanctions.
  • Risk of escalating tensions with Russia.
  • Limited debate may result in unforeseen issues with the bill.
  • Could strain diplomatic relations with other countries.
  • The sanctions may not be effective in altering Russian behavior.

Constitutional Alignment

The resolution itself is procedural and aligns with Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution, which grants each House the power to determine the rules of its proceedings. The underlying bill, H.R. 2548, if enacted, would be an exercise of Congress's power to regulate commerce with foreign nations (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) and to declare war (Article I, Section 8, Clause 11), although the latter is less directly applicable here.

The resolution does not appear to infringe on any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Constitution or its amendments.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).