Bills · HR 4179
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 4179International Affairs
Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025
INTRO JUN 26· LAST ACTION JUN 26
READING
8MIN
COSPONSORS
7BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenWrongful detention of American citizens by foreign governments has become a critical and growing issue, with individuals often used as bargaining chips in international relations. This bill matters because it provides the U.S. government with a new, formal tool to address this challenge, specifically by creating an official designation for countries that engage in these practices.
If this bill becomes law, the U.S. government would have a clearer, standardized process to name and apply pressure to countries involved in wrongful detentions. This could lead to stronger diplomatic actions, potentially more targeted sanctions, or even the ability to seize assets, thereby increasing the costs for countries that wrongfully hold Americans. Without this bill, the U.S. would continue to rely on existing, perhaps less explicit, methods to seek the release of its citizens, which supporters argue might not be as effective in deterring new detentions or securing timely releases.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Allows the Secretary of State to designate a foreign country as a "State Sponsor of Unlawful or Wrongful Detention."
This creates a specific official label that can carry significant diplomatic and economic consequences for designated countries.
PROVISION 02
Establishes criteria for such a designation, including if a detention occurs in the country, if the country fails to release a U.S. national within 30 days of notice, or if the government is complicit in the detention.
These criteria provide clear guidelines for when a country can be designated, ensuring a defined and justifiable process.
PROVISION 03
Requires a designation to terminate after six months unless Congress passes a joint resolution of approval, and allows the Secretary of State to terminate a designation under certain conditions.
This provision ensures Congressional oversight of these significant designations and provides a pathway for countries to demonstrate policy changes.
PROVISION 04
Mandates that the Secretary of State brief Congress initially on specific countries (e.g., Afghanistan, China, Iran, Russia) regarding potential designations and annually thereafter for five years.
This ensures ongoing Congressional oversight and keeps the issue of wrongful detentions at the forefront of policy discussions.
PROVISION 05
Requires an assessment of expanding the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act to allow for the seizure of assets from designated countries.
This could significantly increase the financial pressure on designated countries, making the designation a more impactful deterrent.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 7
R· Arkansas
YRS IN OFFICE
11
BILLS LED
33
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 85%
DEM 3 REP 4 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJUN 26
Introduced in House
JUN 26
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 4179
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJun 26, 2025
Last actionJun 26, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JUN 26, 2025
House BillHR 4179International Affairs
Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025
INTRODUCED JUN 26, 2025· LAST ACTION JUN 26, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
8 min
COSPONSORS
7
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
