Before the President could lift, waive, or significantly ease any sanctions on Iran, this bill would require a report to Congress and a 30-day review period — or 60 days if the report lands during the summer recess. During that window, Congress could pass a resolution of disapproval to block the action outright. The bill names seven specific sanctions laws — from the original 1996 Iran Sanctions Act targeting petroleum investments through post-2010 financial and energy sanctions — and adds a catch-all covering any other statute or executive order imposing Iran sanctions. In practice, no future administration could offer Iran sanctions relief of any kind without first giving Congress a formal veto opportunity.
Congressional Summary
Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act of 2025This bill restricts the President's authority to unilaterally undertake certain actions with respect to Iran and increases congressional oversight of those actions.Specifically, the President must report to Congress before terminating or waiving sanctions related to Iran or taking a licensing action that significantly alters U.S. foreign policy with respect to Iran.Each report must (1) describe the proposed action and its rationale, and (2) indicate whether or not the action is intended to significantly alter foreign policy concerning Iran. If the intention is to alter that policy, the report must provide additional information including the policy objectives for which the affected sanctions were initially imposed and the anticipated effects of the action on U.S. national security interests.After the President submits a report, the bill provides Congress with a 30-day period to review it; this period is extended to 60 days for reports submitted between July 10 and September 7. During this period, Congress may enact a joint resolution approving or disapproving the action.During the review period, the President may not take the action unless Congress passes a joint resolution of approval; if Congress enacts a joint resolution of disapproval, the bill prohibits the President from taking the action.The bill also outlines procedures for the introduction and consideration of these types of joint resolutions.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2025-03-10
- Date Added
- 2026-03-30