Bill Summary
This bill, called the "Stopping Malign Activities from Russian Terrorism Act," requires the Secretary of State to determine whether Russia should be designated as a state sponsor of terrorism, and if armed entities in Ukraine that are supported by Russia should be designated as foreign terrorist organizations. The bill defines key terms, including "state sponsor of terrorism," and outlines the process and timeline for the Secretary of State to make these determinations. The bill also clarifies that it does not authorize the use of military force or limit military dialogue between the US and Russia.
Possible Impacts
1. Travel Restrictions: If the Russian Federation is designated as a state sponsor of terrorism, it could potentially lead to travel restrictions for individuals associated with the country. This could affect people who have family in Russia or those who have business interests in the country, as they may not be able to freely travel to and from the country.
2. Economic Impacts: If the Russian-supported armed forces in Ukraine are designated as foreign terrorist organizations, it could lead to economic sanctions being imposed on those entities. This could have a ripple effect on the economy of both Ukraine and Russia, potentially affecting people's livelihoods and businesses.
3. Political Tensions: The passing of this legislation could also contribute to increased political tensions between the United States and Russia. This could have an impact on international relations, potentially affecting diplomatic negotiations and agreements. It could also lead to heightened fears and concerns among US citizens about the threat of terrorism from Russia.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 1189 Reported in Senate (RS)] <DOC> Calendar No. 332 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1189 To require the Secretary of State to determine whether the Russian Federation should be designated as a state sponsor of terrorism and whether Russian-sponsored armed entities in Ukraine should be designated as foreign terrorist organizations. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 11, 2019 Mr. Gardner (for himself and Mr. Menendez) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations December 17, 2019 Reported by Mr. Risch, with an amendment [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To require the Secretary of State to determine whether the Russian Federation should be designated as a state sponsor of terrorism and whether Russian-sponsored armed entities in Ukraine should be designated as foreign terrorist organizations. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, <DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED> <DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``Stopping Malign Activities from Russian Terrorism Act''.</DELETED> <DELETED>SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED> <DELETED> In this Act:</DELETED> <DELETED> (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--</DELETED> <DELETED> (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and</DELETED> <DELETED> (B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.</DELETED> <DELETED> (2) State sponsor of terrorism.--The term ``state sponsor of terrorism'' means a country, the government of which the Secretary of State has determined, for purposes of section 6(j) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. 4605(j)) (as in effect pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act), section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2371), section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2780), or any other provision of law, is a government that has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism.</DELETED> <DELETED>SEC. 3. DETERMINATION ON THE DESIGNATION OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION AS A STATE SPONSOR OF TERRORISM.</DELETED> <DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a determination to the appropriate congressional committees that indicates whether the Russian Federation meets the criteria to be designated as a state sponsor of terrorism.</DELETED> <DELETED> (b) Form.--The determination required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex, if appropriate.</DELETED> <DELETED>SEC. 4. DETERMINATION ON THE DESIGNATION OF THE RUSSIAN- SUPPORTED ARMED FORCES IN THE DONBAS REGION OF UKRAINE AS FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS.</DELETED> <DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a determination to the appropriate congressional committees that indicates whether armed entities that are physically present in the Donbas region of Ukraine and are controlled or aided by the Russian Federation, or armed entities that are associated or controlled by the ``Donetsk People's Republic'' or the ``Lugansk People's Republic'', meet the criteria to be designated as foreign terrorist organizations under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189).</DELETED> <DELETED> (b) Form.--The determination required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex, if appropriate.</DELETED> SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Stopping Malign Activities from Russian Terrorism Act''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means-- (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and (B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives. (2) State sponsor of terrorism.--The term ``state sponsor of terrorism'' means a country, the government of which the Secretary of State has determined, for purposes of section 1754(c)(1)(A)(i) of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4813(c)(1)(A)(i)), section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2371), section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2780), or any other provision of law, is a government that has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism. SEC. 3. DETERMINATION ON THE DESIGNATION OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION AS A STATE SPONSOR OF TERRORISM. (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a determination to the appropriate congressional committees that indicates whether the Russian Federation meets the criteria to be designated as a state sponsor of terrorism. (b) Form.--The determination required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex, if appropriate. SEC. 4. DETERMINATION ON THE DESIGNATION OF THE RUSSIAN-SUPPORTED ARMED FORCES IN THE DONBAS REGION OF UKRAINE AS FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS. (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a determination to the appropriate congressional committees that indicates whether armed entities that are physically present in the Donbas region of Ukraine and are controlled or aided by the Russian Federation, or armed entities that are associated or controlled by the ``Donetsk People's Republic'' or the ``Lugansk People's Republic'', meet the criteria to be designated as foreign terrorist organizations under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189). (b) Form.--The determination required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex, if appropriate. SEC. 5. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. Nothing in this Act may be construed-- (1) to authorize the use of military force; or (2) to limit bilateral military-to-military dialogue between the United States and the Russian Federation for the purpose of reducing the risk of conflict. Calendar No. 332 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1189 _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To require the Secretary of State to determine whether the Russian Federation should be designated as a state sponsor of terrorism and whether Russian-sponsored armed entities in Ukraine should be designated as foreign terrorist organizations. _______________________________________________________________________ December 17, 2019 Reported with an amendment