59–008 

114TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 114–781 

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL (H.R. 5931) TO PROVIDE 

FOR THE PROHIBITION ON CASH PAYMENTS TO THE GOVERNMENT OF 

IRAN, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, AND WAIVING A REQUIREMENT OF 

CLAUSE 6(a) OF RULE XIII WITH RESPECT TO CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS REPORTED FROM THE COMMITTEE ON RULES 

SEPTEMBER 21, 2016.—Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed 

Mr. BYRNE, from the Committee on Rules, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H. Res. 879] 

The Committee on Rules, having had under consideration House 

Resolution 879, by a record vote of 8 to 3, report the same to the 

House with the recommendation that the resolution be adopted. 

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS OF THE RESOLUTION

The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 5931, the Prohibiting Future Ransom Payments to Iran Act, under a structured 

rule. The resolution provides one hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of 

the Committee on Foreign Affairs. The resolution waives all points 

of order against consideration of the bill. The resolution makes in 

order as original text for purpose of amendment an amendment in 

the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee 

Print 114–64 and provides that it shall be considered as read. The 

resolution waives all points of order against that amendment in the 

nature of a substitute. The resolution makes in order only those 

further amendments printed in this report. Each such amendment 

may be offered only in the order printed in this report, may be offered only by a Member designated in this report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in this report 

equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, 

shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a 

demand for division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. The resolution waives all points of order 

against the amendments printed in this report. The resolution provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. 

Section 2 of the resolution waives clause 6(a) of rule XIII (requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is reVerDate Sep 11 2014 05:17 Sep 22, 2016 Jkt 059008 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR781.XXX HR781

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ported from the Rules Committee) against any resolution reported 

through the legislative day of September 27, 2016, relating to a 

measure making or continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 

ending September 30, 2017. 

EXPLANATION OF WAIVERS

Although the resolution waives all points of order against consideration of the bill, the Committee is not aware of any points of 

order. The waiver is prophylactic in nature. 

Although the resolution waives all points of order against the 

amendment in the nature of a substitute made in order as original 

text, the Committee is not aware of any points of order. The waiver 

is prophylactic in nature. 

Although the resolution waives all points of order against the 

amendments printed in this report, the Committee is not aware of 

any points of order. The waiver is prophylactic in nature. 

COMMITTEE VOTES

The results of each record vote on an amendment or motion to 

report, together with the names of those voting for and against, are 

printed below: 

Rules Committee record vote No. 214 

Motion by Ms. Foxx to report the rule. Adopted: 8–3 

Majority Members Vote Minority Members Vote 

Ms. Foxx ............................................................ Yea Ms. Slaughter .................................................. Nay 

Mr. Cole ............................................................ Yea Mr. McGovern ................................................... Nay 

Mr. Woodall ...................................................... Yea Mr. Hastings of Florida ................................... Nay 

Mr. Burgess ...................................................... Yea Mr. Polis ........................................................... ...................

Mr. Stivers ........................................................ Yea 

Mr. Collins ........................................................ Yea 

Mr. Byrne .......................................................... Yea 

Mr. Newhouse ................................................... ...................

Mr. Sessions, Chairman ................................... Yea 

SUMMARY OF THE AMENDMENTS MADE IN ORDER

1. Royce (CA): Clarifies prohibited forms of payment to Iran, to 

include monetary instruments and precious metals. (10 minutes) 

2. Pompeo (KS): Prohibits the U.S. government from making 

ransom payments. (10 minutes) 

3. Pompeo (KS): Imposes sanctions on Iranians involved in kidnapping or unjustly detaining US citizens. (10 minutes) 

4. Duffy (WI): Prohibits cash and precious metal payments to 

designated state sponsors of terrorism and North Korea in addition 

to Iran. (10 minutes) 

5. Engel (NY): SUBSTITUTE Requires the President to notify 

Congress of a payment made to any State Sponsor of Terrorism or 

North Korea pursuant to a settlement or judgment against the 

United States. The amendment requires the President to report on 

pending claims before the Iran-US Claims Tribunal. (10 minutes) 


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TEXT OF AMENDMENTS MADE IN ORDER

1. AN AMENDMENT TO BE OFFERED BY REPRESENTATIVE ROYCE OF

CALIFORNIA OR HIS DESIGNEE, DEBATABLE FOR 10 MINUTES

Page 5, strike line 11 and all that follows through line 17 and 

insert the following: 

(a) PROHIBITION.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of 

law, beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the 

United States Government may not provide, directly or indirectly, to the Government of Iran— 

(A) monetary instruments; or 

(B) precious metals. 

(2) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection— 

(A) the term ‘‘monetary instruments’’ has the meaning 

given the term in paragraph (dd) of section 1010.100 of 

title 31, Code of Federal Regulations; and 

(B) the term ‘‘precious metal’’ has the meaning given the 

term in section 1027.100(d) of title 31, Code of Federal 

Regulations. 

Page 6, after line 11, insert the following: 

(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—The term ‘‘agreement to settle a 

claim or claims brought before the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal’’, as used in subsection (b), shall not be construed to mean 

a ‘‘promissory note’’, as used in the definition of ‘‘monetary instrument’’ for purposes of subsection (a). 

Page 6, line 12, strike ‘‘(c)’’ and insert ‘‘(d)’’. 

Page 7, line 6, strike ‘‘(d)’’ and insert ‘‘(e)’’. 

2. AN AMENDMENT TO BE OFFERED BY REPRESENTATIVE POMPEO OF

KANSAS OR HIS DESIGNEE, DEBATABLE FOR 10 MINUTES

Page 11, after line 21, add the following: 

SEC. 10. PROHIBITION ON UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PAYMENT 

OF RANSOM. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided by subsection (b), the President and all officers of the United States Government shall not 

make a payment to a government or person for the purpose of securing the release of unjustly detained individuals who are nationals of the United States or aliens who are lawfully admitted for 

permanent residence in the United States. 

(b) EXCEPTION.—The prohibition under subsection (a) does not 

prohibit the United States Government from providing assistance 

to individuals who are nationals of the United States or aliens who 

are lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States 

that have been arrested. 

(c) ENFORCEMENT.—The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, may 

take such actions, including the promulgation of such rules and 

regulations, as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this 

section. 

(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 


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(1) ENTITY.—The term ‘‘entity’’ means a corporation, business association, partnership, trust, society, or any other entity. 

(2) PERSON.—The term ‘‘person’’ means an individual or entity. 

3. AN AMENDMENT TO BE OFFERED BY REPRESENTATIVE POMPEO OF

KANSAS OR HIS DESIGNEE, DEBATABLE FOR 10 MINUTES

Page 11, after line 21, add the following: 

SEC. 10. SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO IRANIAN PERSONS THAT 

HOLD OR DETAIN UNITED STATES NATIONALS OR ALIENS 

LAWFULLY ADMITTED FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE. 

(a) IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS.—Not later than 60 days after the 

date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall impose the 

sanctions described in subsection (b) with respect to— 

(1) any Iranian person involved in the kidnapping or unjust 

detention on or after March 9, 2007, of any individual who is 

a national of the United States or an alien who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States; 

(2) any Iranian person that engages, or attempts to engage, 

in an activity or transaction that materially contributes to, or 

poses a risk of materially contributing to, kidnapping or unjust 

detention described in paragraph (1); and 

(3) any Iranian person that— 

(A) is owned or controlled by a person described in paragraph (1) or (2); 

(B) is acting for or on behalf of such a person; or 

(C) provides, or attempts to provide— 

(i) financial, material, technological, or other support 

to a person described in paragraph (1) or (2); or 

(ii) goods or services in support of an activity or 

transaction described in paragraph (1) or (2). 

(b) SANCTIONS DESCRIBED.—The President shall block, in accordance with the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 

U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), all transactions in all property and interests 

in property of any person subject to subsection (a) if such property 

and interests in property are in the United States, come within the 

United States, or are or come within the possession or control of 

a United States person. 

(c) EXCEPTION; PENALTIES.— 

(1) INAPPLICABILITY OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY REQUIREMENT.—The requirements of section 202 of the International 

Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701) shall not 

apply for purposes of subsection (b). 

(2) EXCEPTION RELATING TO IMPORTATION OF GOODS.—The requirement to block and prohibit all transactions in all property 

and interests in property under subsection (b) shall not include 

the authority to impose sanctions on the importation of goods. 

(3) PENALTIES.—The penalties provided for in subsections (b) 

and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic 

Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) shall apply to a person that violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of regulations prescribed under subsection (b) to the 

same extent that such penalties apply to a person that comVerDate Sep 11 2014 03:42 Sep 22, 2016 Jkt 059008 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR781.XXX HR781

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mits an unlawful act described in subsection (a) of such section 

206. 

(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

(1) ENTITY.—The term ‘‘entity’’ means a corporation, business association, partnership, trust, society, or any other entity. 

(2) IRANIAN PERSON.—The term ‘‘Iranian person’’ means— 

(A) an individual who is a citizen or national of the Islamic Republic of Iran; or 

(B) an entity organized under the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran or otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the 

Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. 

(3) PERSON.—The term ‘‘person’’ means an individual or entity. 

(4) UNITED STATES PERSON.—The term ‘‘United States person’’ means— 

(A) an individual who is a national of the United States 

or an alien who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States; or 

(B) an entity organized under the laws of the United 

States or of any jurisdiction within the United States, including a foreign branch of such an entity. 

4. AN AMENDMENT TO BE OFFERED BY REPRESENTATIVE DUFFY OF

WISCONSIN OR HIS DESIGNEE, DEBATABLE FOR 10 MINUTES

Page 11, after line 21, add the following: 

SEC. 10. PROHIBITION ON CASH PAYMENTS TO STATE SPONSORS OF 

TERRORISM. 

(a) PROHIBITION.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of 

law, beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the 

United States Government may not provide, directly or indirectly, to a government of a state sponsor of terrorism, or an 

agent acting on behalf of such a government— 

(A) monetary instruments; or 

(B) precious metals. 

(2) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection— 

(A) the term ‘‘monetary instruments’’ has the meaning 

given the term in paragraph (dd) of section 1010.100 of 

title 31, Code of Federal Regulations; and 

(B) the term ‘‘precious metal’’ has the meaning given the 

term in section 1027.100(d) of title 31, Code of Federal 

Regulations. 

(b) APPLICATION TO NORTH KOREA.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (a) shall apply with respect to 

a payment, or an agreement to make a payment, to an agency 

or instrumentality of the Government of the Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea, or an agent acting on behalf of such 

Government, in the same manner and to the same extent as 

such subsection applies with respect to a payment, or an agreement to make a payment, to an agency or instrumentality of 

a state sponsor of terrorism, subject to the termination provisions described in paragraph (2). 


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(2) TERMINATION.—Subsection (a) shall cease to apply with 

respect to a payment, or an agreement to make a payment, to 

an agency or instrumentality of the Government of the Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea, or an agent acting on behalf 

of such Government, beginning on the date on which the President makes the certification to Congress under section 402 of 

the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 

2016 (Public Law 114–122; 22 U.S.C. 92512). 

(c) STATE SPONSOR OF TERRORISM DEFINED.—In this section, the 

term ‘‘state sponsor of terrorism’’ means a country the government 

of which the Secretary of State has determined, for purposes of section 6(j)(1)(A) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. 

App. 2405(j)(1)(A)) (as continued in effect pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.)), 

section 620A(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 

2371(a)), section 40(d) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 

2780(d)), or any other provision of law, to be a government that has 

repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism. 

5. AN AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE TO BE OFFERED BY REPRESENTATIVE ENGEL OF NEW YORK OR HIS DESIGNEE, DEBATABLE FOR 10 MINUTES

Strike the text of the committee print and insert the following: 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Restrictions on Payments to State 

Sponsors of Terrorism Act’’. 

SEC. 2. RESTRICTIONS ON PAYMENTS TO STATE SPONSORS OF TERRORISM. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—No agency or instrumentality of the United 

States Government may make a payment, or enter into an agreement to make a payment, to an agency or instrumentality of a government of a state sponsor of terrorism, or an agent acting on behalf of such a government, in settlement of a claim or judgment 

against the United States, unless, not less than 5 days prior to 

making such payment or entering into such agreement, the President submits to the appropriate committees of Congress in writing— 

(1) a notification of the proposed payment or agreement; and 

(2) the text of the claim or judgment with respect to which 

such payment or agreement relates. 

(b) APPLICATION TO NORTH KOREA.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Subsections (a) and (c) shall apply with respect to a payment, or an agreement to make a payment, to 

an agency or instrumentality of the Government of the Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea, or an agent acting on behalf 

of such Government, in the same manner and to the same extent as such subsections apply with respect to a payment, or 

an agreement to make a payment, to an agency or instrumentality of a state sponsor of terrorism, subject to the termination 

provisions described in paragraph (2). 

(2) TERMINATION.—Subsections (a) and (c) shall cease to 

apply with respect to a payment, or an agreement to make a 

payment, to an agency or instrumentality of the Government 


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of the Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea, or an agent acting on behalf of such Government, beginning on the date on 

which the President makes the certification to Congress under 

section 402 of the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016 (Public Law 114–122; 22 U.S.C. 92512). 

(c) PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 

the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter, the 

President shall publish in the Federal Register a list of payments, and agreements to make payments, to agencies and instrumentalities of governments of a state sponsors of terrorism 

as described in subsection (a) that were made or entered into 

during the prior 180-day period. 

(2) CONTENTS.—The list of payments, and agreements to 

make payments, required to be published in the Federal Register under paragraph (1) shall, with respect to each such payment or agreement, include the following: 

(A) The amount of the payment or agreement. 

(B) The agency or instrumentality of the United States 

Government that made the payment or entered into the 

agreement. 

(C) The reason or reasons for the payment or agreement. 

SEC. 3. REPORT ON OUTSTANDING CLAIMS BEFORE THE IRAN-UNITED 

STATES CLAIMS TRIBUNAL. 

(a) REPORT.—The President shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes each claim pending before the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal as of the date of enactment of this Act. 

(b) MATTERS TO BE INCLUDED.—The report required under subsection (a) shall include the amount (if an amount is specified) and 

the status before the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal of each 

claim described in subsection (a). 

(c) FORM.—The report required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex if 

necessary. 

(d) DEADLINE.—The report required under subsection (a) shall be 

submitted to the appropriate committees of Congress not later than 

90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually 

thereafter until the disposition of all claims pending before the 

Iran-United States Claims Tribunal. 

SEC. 4. EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN ACTIVITIES. 

Nothing in this Act shall apply to any activities subject to the reporting requirements of title V of the National Security Act of 

1947. 

SEC. 5. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. 

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize any payment 

by the Government of the United States to a state sponsor of terrorism or North Korea. 

SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS. 

In this Act: 

(1) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.—The term 

‘‘appropriate committees of Congress’’ means— 


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(A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on 

the Judiciary, and the Committee on Financial Services of 

the House of Representatives; and 

(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee 

on the Judiciary, and the Committee on Banking, Housing, 

and Urban Affairs of the Senate. 

(2) STATE SPONSOR OF TERRORISM.—The term ‘‘state sponsor 

of terrorism’’ means a country the government of which the 

Secretary of State has determined, for purposes of section 

6(j)(1)(A) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. 

App. 2405(j)(1)(A)) (as continued in effect pursuant to the 

International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 

et seq.)), section 620A(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 

(22 U.S.C. 2371(a)), section 40(d) of the Arms Export Control 

Act (22 U.S.C. 2780(d)), or any other provision of law, to be a 

government that has repeatedly provided support for acts of 

international terrorism. 

Æ 


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