Counteracting Russian Hostilities Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-94
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2017-01-11 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Alliances
Asia
Aviation and airports
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Belarus
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Computer security and identity theft
Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Corporate finance and management
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Europe
Foreign and international banking
Foreign loans and debt
Foreign property
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Georgia (Republic)
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government trust funds
Human rights
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
International exchange and broadcasting
International monetary system and foreign exchange
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Licensing and registrations
Marine and inland water transportation
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military operations and strategy
News media and reporting
Nuclear power
Oil and gas
Pipelines
Public contracts and procurement
Rule of law and government transparency
Russia
Sanctions
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Syria
Technology transfer and commercialization
Television and film
Trade restrictions
U.S. and foreign investments
Ukraine
Visas and passports
War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: 

Counteracting Russian Hostilities Act of 2017

 
This bill directs the President to impose U.S. entry and property blocking sanctions against: (1) a person that engages in significant activities for the government of the Russian Federation that undermine U.S. or allied cyber security, or (2) a foreign person responsible for serious human rights abuses in any territory occupied or controlled by Russia.
 
The President shall impose specified financial and property sanctions against a person that: (1) engages in a significant transaction on behalf of Russian defense or intelligence sectors; (2) invests specified amounts in Russian petroleum or natural gas resources, energy export pipelines, or civil nuclear projects; (3) purchases or facilitates the issuance of Russian sovereign debt; or (4) contributes to Russia's ability to privatize state-owned assets.
 
The Department of Homeland Security shall conduct public service campaigns to educate the people of the United States on cyber security threats and protective online practices. 
 
No federal agency shall take any action that recognizes: (1) Russian sovereignty over Crimea, or (2) the independence of South Ossetia or Abkhazia from Georgia. 
 
It is U.S. policy to assist Ukraine in restoring its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
 
Specified executive orders imposing Ukraine-related sanctions shall remain in effect. 
 
The bill expresses the sense of Congress that the countries of Europe and Eurasia should redouble efforts to build resilience within their political systems and civil society to counter Russian efforts to undermine democratic institutions.
 
The Department of State shall report to Congress regarding Russian-controlled media outlets. 
 
The bill establishes in the Treasury the Europe and Eurasia Democracy and Anti-Corruption Fund.
 
The Department of the Treasury shall establish a task force within the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network that focuses on illicit Russian-linked financial flows that interact with the U.S. financial system.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-27
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-55.
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: Introduced in Senate