Sanctioning Harborers And Dodgers Of Western Sanctions Act of 2025; SHADOW Fleet Sanctions Act of 2025
Summary
The "Sanctioning Harborers And Dodgers Of Western Sanctions Act of 2025" or the "SHADOW Fleet Sanctions Act of 2025" aims to impose sanctions on entities involved with the Russian shadow fleet, which helps Russia circumvent international sanctions. The bill targets vessels, foreign persons, and port terminals facilitating the transport of Russian oil and other goods. It also focuses on aligning US sanctions with those of the European Union and the United Kingdom.
The Act includes measures to monitor and report on activities related to the Russian shadow fleet, establish minimum standards for flag state registries, and counter the role of China in sanctions evasion. Furthermore, it seeks to enhance resources for sanctions implementation and address Russian military actions supporting the shadow fleet.
Ultimately, the goal is to limit Russia's ability to finance its activities by restricting its access to international markets and resources.
Expected Effects
This act will likely increase the cost and difficulty for Russia to export oil and other goods, potentially reducing its revenue. It may also lead to increased scrutiny and sanctions for companies and countries that continue to do business with Russia. The act could strain international relations, particularly with countries like China and India, which are significant importers of Russian oil.
Potential Benefits
- Reduces Russia's ability to fund its activities by limiting access to international markets.
- Strengthens international efforts to enforce sanctions against Russia.
- Increases transparency and accountability regarding activities related to the Russian shadow fleet.
- Incentivizes countries to comply with international sanctions and maritime standards.
- Enhances national security by countering Russian efforts to circumvent sanctions.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could increase energy prices due to reduced supply, impacting consumers.
- May strain relationships with countries that rely on Russian energy exports.
- Potential for retaliatory measures from Russia, impacting international trade and security.
- Increased compliance costs for businesses involved in international shipping and trade.
- Risk of unintended consequences, such as the development of alternative, less transparent supply chains.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the constitutional power of Congress to regulate commerce with foreign nations (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3). It also falls under the President's authority to conduct foreign policy and impose sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which has been upheld by the Supreme Court.
The bill does not appear to infringe on individual liberties or rights protected by the Bill of Rights. The sanctions are targeted at foreign entities and individuals involved in activities that undermine national security and foreign policy objectives.
However, the broad delegation of authority to the President to impose sanctions could raise concerns about the separation of powers, although this is a common practice in foreign policy legislation.
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).