U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) have introduced the Sanctions List Harmonization Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at preventing foreign adversaries from evading U.S. sanctions by improving coordination among government agencies.
The bill requires the U.S. Departments of Treasury, Commerce, and Defense to notify each other when a foreign individual or entity is placed on a sanctions list.
Read: Florida Sen. Rick Scott Rips Biden-Harris Admin Following Release Of PPI Report
The goal is to close gaps in interagency communication that adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran exploit to engage with the U.S. economy.
“It’s common sense for agencies to flag when an individual or entity is sanctioned under U.S. law. America must strengthen its interagency coordination and prevent bad actors, such as Communist China, Russia, and Iran, from taking advantage of a disjointed policy. We must enact measures to counter the reality that our adversaries are evading U.S. sanctions,” said Rubio.
Read: US Coast Guard Suspends Search For Missing Boater In The Florida Gulf
“As authoritarian regimes and actors around the world continue to undermine the freedoms and basic human rights of their peoples, the United States must act clearly and decisively by enforcing U.S. sanctions. By ensuring our federal agencies take a cohesive approach when reviewing and imposing sanctions on bad actors attempting to evade U.S. law, we will continue to defend those fighting against the oppression of authoritarianism,” added Merkley.
A companion bill introduced by Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) passed the U.S. House unanimously.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.