Protecting Americans from Russian Litigation Act of 2025
Summary
The "Protecting Americans from Russian Litigation Act of 2025" aims to limit civil actions affected by United States sanctions. It prevents foreign entities from seeking compensation in U.S. courts for actions taken by U.S. persons complying with sanctions or export controls. The bill amends Title 28 of the U.S. Code to restrict enforcement of foreign judgments or arbitral awards related to U.S. sanctions.
Expected Effects
This act will primarily shield U.S. individuals and entities from legal challenges arising from their compliance with U.S. sanctions. It could reduce the risk of legal action for businesses adhering to sanctions policies. The bill also clarifies that it does not limit actions related to terrorism, torture, or contractual rights agreed upon within the U.S.
Potential Benefits
- Protects U.S. persons from foreign litigation related to sanctions compliance.
- Encourages adherence to U.S. sanctions and export controls.
- Reduces legal uncertainty for businesses operating under sanctions regimes.
- Preserves the authority of the President and U.S. agencies to enforce sanctions.
- Maintains legal recourse for victims of terrorism and related crimes.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May limit the ability of foreign entities to seek legal redress in U.S. courts.
- Could potentially strain international relations by restricting legal avenues.
- May be viewed as an overreach of U.S. legal jurisdiction.
- Potential for unintended consequences in international trade and investment.
- Possible challenges in defining the scope of "actions to comply with United States sanctions."
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's alignment with the Constitution is primarily related to the powers of Congress to regulate commerce with foreign nations (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) and to define the jurisdiction of federal courts (Article III, Section 1). The bill does not appear to infringe on individual rights protected by the Bill of Rights, as it primarily addresses the enforcement of foreign judgments.
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).