H.R. 8704

119 HR 8704 IH: Sanctioning Threats and Aggression to Bolster Lasting Enforcement and Disrupt Regional Conflict Act
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2026-05-07
 text/xml
 EN
 Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
 I
 119th CONGRESS  2d Session
 H. R. 8704
 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 May 7, 2026
  Mr. Olszewski  introduced the following bill; which was 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
 A BILL
To impose sanctions with respect to any foreign person that violates or knowingly undermines the Washington Accords.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Sanctioning Threats and Aggression to Bolster Lasting Enforcement and Disrupt Regional Conflict Act   or  STABLE DRC Act  .
2.
Findings
Congress makes the following findings:
(1)
The Rwandan Defense Forces have provided sustained military support for the March 23rd Movement’s (M23) ongoing revolt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s North and South Kivu provinces.
(2)
The armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to support the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group whose founders took part in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
(3)
Both the FDLR and M23 have committed numerous war crimes and human rights abuses. This includes forcibly recruiting children into their ranks and engaging in ethnic cleansing, rape, and summary executions.
(4)
The June 2025 Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda (in this Act referred to as the  Washington Accords ) stipulates that each party will respect the other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as refrain from engaging in hostile acts that threaten the peace and security of the other signatory state.
3.
Statement of policy
It shall be the policy of the United States Government—
(1)
to recognize the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda;
(2)
to regard the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo as a direct threat to regional peace and stability, as well as to United States strategic interests in Central Africa; and
(3)
to use sanctions as a tool to support the Washington Accords and to fully end the conflict between the Democratic Republic of the Congo, M23, and Rwanda.
4.
Sanctions
(a)
Authorization
Beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the President is authorized to impose the sanctions described in subsection (b) with respect to any foreign person that violates or knowingly undermines the Washington Accords.
(b)
Sanctions described
The sanctions described in this subsection are the following: —
(1)
Asset blocking
Notwithstanding the requirements of section 202 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1701 ), the President may exercise of all powers granted to the President by that Act to the extent necessary to block and prohibit all transactions in all property and interests in property of the foreign person 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.
(2)
Aliens inadmissible for visas, admission, or parole
(A)
Visas, admission, or parole
In the case of an alien subject to sanctions pursuant to subsection (a), the alien is—
(i)
inadmissible to the United States;
(ii)
ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation to enter the United States; and
(iii)
otherwise ineligible to be admitted or paroled into the United States or to receive any other benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq. ).
(B)
Current visas revoked
(i)
In general
The visa or other entry documentation of an alien described in subparagraph (A) shall be revoked, regardless of when such visa or other entry documentation was issued.
(ii)
Immediate effect
A revocation under clause (i) shall—
(I)
take effect in accordance with section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1201(i) ); and
(II)
cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation that is in the alien’s possession.
(c)
Exceptions
(1)
Exception to comply with international obligations
Sanctions under subsection (b)(2) shall not apply with respect to the admission of an alien if admitting or paroling the alien into the United States is necessary to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United States, or other applicable international obligations.
(2)
Exception relating to the provision of humanitarian assistance
Sanctions under this section may not be imposed with respect to transactions or the facilitation of transactions for—
(A)
the sale of agricultural commodities, food, medicine, or medical devices;
(B)
the provision of humanitarian assistance;
(C)
financial transactions relating to humanitarian assistance; or
(D)
transporting goods or services that are necessary to carry out operations relating to humanitarian assistance.
(3)
Exception for intelligence, law enforcement, and national security activities
Sanctions under this section shall not apply to any authorized intelligence, law enforcement, or national security activities of the United States.
(d)
Sanctions program
(1)
In general
The President shall establish or direct the establishment of a program to carry out the authority under this section.
(2)
Existing authorities
The President is authorized to impose sanctions under this section with respect to any foreign person described in subsection (a) that is also subject to sanctions under any other provision of law.
(e)
Implementation; penalties
(1)
Implementation
The President may exercise all authorities provided to the President under sections 203 and 205 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702 and 1704) to carry out this section.
(2)
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 promulgated to carry out this section to the same extent that such penalties apply to a person who commits an unlawful act described in section 206(a) of that Act.
(f)
Sunset
The authority to impose sanctions under this section shall terminate on the date that is seven years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(g)
Definitions
In this section—
(1)
the term “appropriate congressional committees” means the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2)
the term “foreign person” means an individual or entity that is not a United States person; and
(3)
the term “United States person” means—
(A)
a United States citizen;
(B)
a permanent resident alien of the United States;
(C)
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; or
(D)
a person in the United States.