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Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-4179| House 
| Updated: 6/26/2025
J. French Hill

J. French Hill

Republican Representative

Arkansas

Cosponsors (7)
Richard McCormick (Republican)Eugene Simon Vindman (Democratic)Thomas H. Kean (Republican)Addison P. McDowell (Republican)Jared Moskowitz (Democratic)Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)Michael Lawler (Republican)

Foreign Affairs Committee, Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025 amends existing law to provide the U.S. government with new tools to deter the wrongful detention of U.S. nationals abroad. It authorizes the Secretary of State to designate a foreign country as a "State Sponsor of Unlawful or Wrongful Detention" if it meets specific criteria. These criteria include the occurrence of such detentions, failure to release a detained U.S. national within 30 days of notification, or the government's complicity in or material support for such detentions. Upon designation, the Secretary must report to Congress and justify the decision, with the designation terminating after six months unless Congress approves it via a joint resolution. The Secretary can also terminate a designation if the country releases detained nationals, changes policies, or provides assurances. The bill mandates an initial briefing to Congress on specific countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, and Russia, to assess their potential designation. The legislation requires a comprehensive review of existing authorities to respond to designated countries, which may include applying visa restrictions , sanctions , or restrictions on foreign assistance and exports . It also allows for consideration of designating the country as a state sponsor of terrorism. To ensure transparency, the Secretary of State must publish and regularly update a public list of all designated foreign countries.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-10255
Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2024
Jun 18, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-1478
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Jun 26, 2025
Introduced in House
Jun 26, 2025
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 from Previous Congress

    HR 118-10255
    Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2024


  • June 18, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-1478
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • June 26, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • June 26, 2025
    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.

International Affairs

Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-4179| House 
| Updated: 6/26/2025
The Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025 amends existing law to provide the U.S. government with new tools to deter the wrongful detention of U.S. nationals abroad. It authorizes the Secretary of State to designate a foreign country as a "State Sponsor of Unlawful or Wrongful Detention" if it meets specific criteria. These criteria include the occurrence of such detentions, failure to release a detained U.S. national within 30 days of notification, or the government's complicity in or material support for such detentions. Upon designation, the Secretary must report to Congress and justify the decision, with the designation terminating after six months unless Congress approves it via a joint resolution. The Secretary can also terminate a designation if the country releases detained nationals, changes policies, or provides assurances. The bill mandates an initial briefing to Congress on specific countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, and Russia, to assess their potential designation. The legislation requires a comprehensive review of existing authorities to respond to designated countries, which may include applying visa restrictions , sanctions , or restrictions on foreign assistance and exports . It also allows for consideration of designating the country as a state sponsor of terrorism. To ensure transparency, the Secretary of State must publish and regularly update a public list of all designated foreign countries.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-10255
Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2024
Jun 18, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-1478
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Jun 26, 2025
Introduced in House
Jun 26, 2025
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 from Previous Congress

    HR 118-10255
    Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2024


  • June 18, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-1478
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • June 26, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • June 26, 2025
    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.
J. French Hill

J. French Hill

Republican Representative

Arkansas

Cosponsors (7)
Richard McCormick (Republican)Eugene Simon Vindman (Democratic)Thomas H. Kean (Republican)Addison P. McDowell (Republican)Jared Moskowitz (Democratic)Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)Michael Lawler (Republican)

Foreign Affairs Committee, Judiciary Committee

International Affairs

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted