The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a contentious bill that calls for sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) after its issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli leaders.
Known as the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, the bill will now proceed to the Senate, where it must surpass a 60-vote threshold for potential enactment by President-elect Donald Trump.
The Daily Caller reported that the legislation, introduced by Republican Representative Chip Roy and supported by 29 fellow GOP members, passed in the House with a vote of 243-140.
A total of 50 lawmakers did not cast votes on the matter. The passing of this bill saw unanimous support from Republican members and it is now set to be reviewed by the Senate in the coming days.
A significant majority of House Democrats opposed the measure, with 140 voting against it. The Democratic opposition highlights sharp division over U.S. support for international judicial authority when it intersects with Israel’s military actions. Only 45 Democrats voted in favor, and an additional 30 abstained from the voting process.
During heated debates on the House floor, Representative Roy emphasized the risks of allowing the ICC to proceed without consequences.
“This is an entity — the ICC — that has no jurisdiction over the people of the United States,” he argued, reinforcing the need for the bill. He expressed his enthusiasm about the House backing his legislation, stating, “I am pleased the House passed, my bill H.R. 23 ‘The Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act’ to hold the ICC accountable.”
The measure seeks to ensure that the United States and its allies are protected from what several lawmakers described as overreach by the ICC. If implemented, the bill would direct the imposition of sanctions on any actions by the ICC targeting American citizens or allies deemed “protected persons.”
Rep. Brian Mast echoed these sentiments by asserting that the ICC's actions could affect America’s right to intervene and protect its interests and allies who are fighting to recover American hostages from Gaza.
Conversely, critics of the bill, including Rep. Jim McGovern, have voiced serious concerns. McGovern criticized the impetus behind the legislation, suggesting it misrepresents the will of American voters. “This Republican majority is not what people asked for in the last election,” he asserted.
The root of the contentious legislation traces back to the ICC’s decision in November to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
These warrants relate to actions taken against Hamas following the terrorist group’s invasion of Israel in October 2023, which resulted in over 1,300 Israeli fatalities.
The United States and Israel both reject the ICC’s jurisdiction, maintaining their stance of noncompliance with its warrants.
President Biden condemned the ICC’s move, labeling the arrest warrants as “outrageous” and reaffirming unwavering U.S. support for Israel amid the ongoing conflict.
As the bill advances to the Senate, its passage could redefine the U.S. stance on international judicial encroachment concerning its allies. Roy noted the necessity for the Senate to approve the bill expeditiously, stating, “I look forward to the Senate taking up and passing HR 23 quickly.”
