International Criminal Court (ICC)

The proposed legislation, known as the "Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act" (H.R. 23), is aimed at imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its actions against the United States and its allies, particularly Israel. This Act finds that neither the United States nor Israel is a party to the Rome Statute, which outlines the ICC's jurisdiction, and therefore the ICC lacks legitimacy regarding these nations.

The Act specifically condemns recent attempts by the ICC, including the issuance of arrest warrants against Israeli officials, describing them as illegitimate and a threat to U.S. interests. It builds on previous measures aimed at protecting U.S. military members and officials from prosecution by the ICC, citing risks posed by the Rome Statute.

The legislation mandates that if the ICC pursues any actions to investigate or prosecute U.S. protected persons, the President must impose sanctions. These sanctions target foreign persons involved in aiding such efforts and include blocking their property and revoking visas. Additionally, any appropriations for the ICC would be rescinded, and future funding prohibited.

Key definitions are provided, such as "protected persons," which includes U.S. citizens and officials, and outlines the composition of immediate family members who would also be subject to sanctions.

In summary, the Act seeks to assert U.S. opposition to the ICC's jurisdiction over American and allied individuals, protecting them from international legal challenges and rescinding funding for the ICC's activities.