Legis Daily

Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act

USA117th CongressS-4240| Senate 
| Updated: 1/5/2023
Chuck Grassley

Chuck Grassley

Republican Senator

Iowa

Cosponsors (7)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Patrick J. Leahy (Democratic)Thomas Tillis (Republican)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Lindsey Graham (Republican)Roy Blunt (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act This act broadens the scope of individuals who are subject to federal prosecution for war crime offenses. Currently, the federal war crimes statute provides federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses committed anywhere (i.e., inside or outside the United States) if the victim or offender is a member of the Armed Forces or a U.S. national. First, this act extends federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses committed anywhere to offenses where (1) the victim or offender is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence; or (2) the offender is present in the United States, regardless of the nationality of the victim or the offender. Second, the act expands federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses to include offenses that occur in whole or in part within the United States, regardless of whether the victim or offender is a member of the Armed Forces, a U.S. national, or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. The act allows an indictment for certain war crime offenses to be instituted any time, making the statute of limitations inapplicable. To undertake a prosecution for war crime offenses, the act requires written certification that prosecution is in the public interest and is necessary to secure substantial justice. The certification is not subject to judicial review.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

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Timeline
May 18, 2022
Introduced in Senate
May 18, 2022
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Nov 1, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-7818
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Dec 21, 2022
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S9713-9714)
Dec 21, 2022
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S9713-9714)
Dec 21, 2022
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Dec 21, 2022
Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 21, 2022
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S9713-9714)
Dec 21, 2022
Received in the House.
Dec 21, 2022
Held at the desk.
Dec 22, 2022
Mr. Nadler moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Dec 22, 2022
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10012-10013)
Dec 22, 2022
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 4240.
Dec 22, 2022
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H10012)
Dec 22, 2022
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H10012)
Dec 22, 2022
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Dec 28, 2022
Presented to President.
Jan 5, 2023
Signed by President.
Jan 5, 2023
Became Public Law No: 117-351.
  • May 18, 2022
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 18, 2022
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • November 1, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-7818
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.


  • December 21, 2022
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S9713-9714)


  • December 21, 2022
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S9713-9714)


  • December 21, 2022
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • December 21, 2022
    Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.


  • December 21, 2022
    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S9713-9714)


  • December 21, 2022
    Received in the House.


  • December 21, 2022
    Held at the desk.


  • December 22, 2022
    Mr. Nadler moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • December 22, 2022
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10012-10013)


  • December 22, 2022
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 4240.


  • December 22, 2022
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H10012)


  • December 22, 2022
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H10012)


  • December 22, 2022
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • December 28, 2022
    Presented to President.


  • January 5, 2023
    Signed by President.


  • January 5, 2023
    Became Public Law No: 117-351.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 117-7818: Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationImmigration status and proceduresJudicial review and appealsJurisdiction and venueWar crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity

Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act

USA117th CongressS-4240| Senate 
| Updated: 1/5/2023
Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act This act broadens the scope of individuals who are subject to federal prosecution for war crime offenses. Currently, the federal war crimes statute provides federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses committed anywhere (i.e., inside or outside the United States) if the victim or offender is a member of the Armed Forces or a U.S. national. First, this act extends federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses committed anywhere to offenses where (1) the victim or offender is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence; or (2) the offender is present in the United States, regardless of the nationality of the victim or the offender. Second, the act expands federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses to include offenses that occur in whole or in part within the United States, regardless of whether the victim or offender is a member of the Armed Forces, a U.S. national, or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. The act allows an indictment for certain war crime offenses to be instituted any time, making the statute of limitations inapplicable. To undertake a prosecution for war crime offenses, the act requires written certification that prosecution is in the public interest and is necessary to secure substantial justice. The certification is not subject to judicial review.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 18, 2022
Introduced in Senate
May 18, 2022
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Nov 1, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-7818
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Dec 21, 2022
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S9713-9714)
Dec 21, 2022
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S9713-9714)
Dec 21, 2022
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Dec 21, 2022
Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 21, 2022
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S9713-9714)
Dec 21, 2022
Received in the House.
Dec 21, 2022
Held at the desk.
Dec 22, 2022
Mr. Nadler moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Dec 22, 2022
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10012-10013)
Dec 22, 2022
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 4240.
Dec 22, 2022
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H10012)
Dec 22, 2022
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H10012)
Dec 22, 2022
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Dec 28, 2022
Presented to President.
Jan 5, 2023
Signed by President.
Jan 5, 2023
Became Public Law No: 117-351.
  • May 18, 2022
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 18, 2022
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • November 1, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-7818
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.


  • December 21, 2022
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S9713-9714)


  • December 21, 2022
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S9713-9714)


  • December 21, 2022
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • December 21, 2022
    Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.


  • December 21, 2022
    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S9713-9714)


  • December 21, 2022
    Received in the House.


  • December 21, 2022
    Held at the desk.


  • December 22, 2022
    Mr. Nadler moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • December 22, 2022
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10012-10013)


  • December 22, 2022
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 4240.


  • December 22, 2022
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H10012)


  • December 22, 2022
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H10012)


  • December 22, 2022
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • December 28, 2022
    Presented to President.


  • January 5, 2023
    Signed by President.


  • January 5, 2023
    Became Public Law No: 117-351.
Chuck Grassley

Chuck Grassley

Republican Senator

Iowa

Cosponsors (7)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Patrick J. Leahy (Democratic)Thomas Tillis (Republican)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Lindsey Graham (Republican)Roy Blunt (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 117-7818: Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationImmigration status and proceduresJudicial review and appealsJurisdiction and venueWar crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity