This bill, titled the "U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act," requires a comprehensive review of the bilateral relationship between the United States and South Africa. The legislation expresses congressional concern over South Africa's alleged departure from its stated policy of nonalignment, citing its historical and ongoing support for Hamas , increasing ties with the People's Republic of China (PRC) , and robust relationship with the Russian Federation . The bill details numerous instances of South African government and African National Congress (ANC) actions that are seen as inconsistent with U.S. interests, including statements and actions regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, military cooperation with Russia, and inter-party cooperation with the Chinese Communist Party. The President, in consultation with relevant department heads, is mandated to conduct this review and submit a report to Congress within 120 days. This report must include a certification stating whether South Africa has engaged in activities that undermine U.S. national security or foreign policy interests, along with a justification for the determination. Additionally, the President must provide a classified report identifying senior South African government officials and ANC leaders who may meet the criteria for sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act due to corruption or human rights abuses. If the President certifies that South Africa's actions undermine U.S. interests, the bill requires the termination of South Africa's eligibility for trade preference programs such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) .
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
International Affairs
U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act
USA119th CongressS-2752| Senate
| Updated: 9/10/2025
This bill, titled the "U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act," requires a comprehensive review of the bilateral relationship between the United States and South Africa. The legislation expresses congressional concern over South Africa's alleged departure from its stated policy of nonalignment, citing its historical and ongoing support for Hamas , increasing ties with the People's Republic of China (PRC) , and robust relationship with the Russian Federation . The bill details numerous instances of South African government and African National Congress (ANC) actions that are seen as inconsistent with U.S. interests, including statements and actions regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, military cooperation with Russia, and inter-party cooperation with the Chinese Communist Party. The President, in consultation with relevant department heads, is mandated to conduct this review and submit a report to Congress within 120 days. This report must include a certification stating whether South Africa has engaged in activities that undermine U.S. national security or foreign policy interests, along with a justification for the determination. Additionally, the President must provide a classified report identifying senior South African government officials and ANC leaders who may meet the criteria for sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act due to corruption or human rights abuses. If the President certifies that South Africa's actions undermine U.S. interests, the bill requires the termination of South Africa's eligibility for trade preference programs such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) .