YourVoice.Now Summary
Civil LibertiesCorporate BenefitsA foreign court's judgment against a company that obeyed US sanctions couldn't be collected here — even in pending cases.
Civil Liberties
Only the US government could still bring this kind of case. The bar also applies when a foreign court claimed the case because US sanctions existed in the first place.
The rule would reach cases filed before it becomes law, not just new ones. A company sued this way could move the case to federal court, where the judge would have to dismiss it.
Corporate Benefits
A company that broke a contract to follow US sanctions could not be made to pay a foreign court or arbitration ruling here. It could still be sued in a US court over the same events, and victims of terrorism, torture, or hostage-taking could still bring their own claims.
More about this bill
Most people would see no change in daily life. This is a courtroom rule for companies caught between US sanctions and a foreign court. Say a company breaks a contract to obey US sanctions. A foreign court, or an arbitrator both sides had agreed to use, could then order it to pay. That foreign order could no longer be collected in a US court. Any company sued this way could move the case to federal court, where a judge would have to throw it out. The block only stops one thing: collecting a foreign court or arbitration ruling here. People could still sue in US courts over the same events. Deals that name US courts or US arbitration would still hold. Claims by US victims of terrorism, torture, or hostage-taking stay open, as do cases the US government brings itself. The short title names Russia, but the text applies to any country's sanctions. It reaches rulings tied to US sanctions or export controls, the rules on what US companies may ship abroad. Tariffs on imports would not count as sanctions here. The rule would also apply to lawsuits already pending once it becomes law. The Senate passed this bill April 28, 2026; it has not yet passed the House or become law.
Congressional Summary
Protecting Americans from Russian Litigation Act of 2025 This bill generally prohibits private parties from filing civil claims in federal or state court to enforce certain judgments or arbitration awards issued by foreign courts. The prohibition applies if (1) the foreign judgment or arbitration award arose from a claim where actions to comply with U.S. sanctions impeded the performance of a contract, or (2) the foreign court or tribunal asserted jurisdiction based on the imposition of U.S. sanctions or export controls (or a foreign law enacted in response to U.S. sanctions or export controls). The bill provides an exception for the federal government, which may continue to file these claims. The general prohibition established by this bill applies to claims that are pending on or after this bill's date of enactment.
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Passed Senate
- Action Date
- 2026-04-28
- Date Added
- 2026-09-19
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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