No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act

This bill aims to stop hostage-taking and wrongful detention of Americans, especially by Iran. It sets a tougher U.S. policy, with more reporting, sanctions, and travel limits to cut off money and access for those involved. It also pushes the government to consider restricting U.S. travel to Iran if it’s unsafe and to build a clear plan to deter future hostage-taking, including not paying ransom.

Key steps include tracking how $6 billion moved to restricted accounts in Qatar is used, proving it’s only for humanitarian purposes, and checking if it frees up other money for Iran’s military or harmful activities. These reports start within 90 days and continue every 180 days for six years, with detailed lists of each transaction and how the U.S. verified they were humanitarian.

It also requires yearly reviews for six years to identify anyone involved in Iranian-directed hostage-taking of Americans and to impose sanctions on them or explain why not. The bill moves to limit visas and travel for Iranian diplomats coming to the United Nations, including those already sanctioned for terrorism or weapons support, and demands a report within 180 days and annually for three years on any denials or limits. It also calls for reports on Iranian assets blocked worldwide (over $100,000), changes to those assets, and whether the U.S. helped unblock them. Finally, it urges the Secretary of State to consider invalidating U.S. passports for travel to Iran and to report on that decision within 90 days and annually for three years, and it directs the President to deliver a strategy within 180 days to deter hostage-taking, coordinate with allies, and bar ransom payments.

Who is affected and what changes

• U.S. travelers: The government may declare U.S. passports invalid for travel to Iran if it’s deemed too dangerous; regular updates are required.
• Foreign individuals/entities tied to hostage-taking: Face identification and potential sanctions, reviewed annually for six years.
• Iranian diplomats to the UN: More limits on visas and movement; the U.S. must report actions taken.
• U.S. government agencies: Must produce regular reports on the Qatar funds, blocked Iranian assets, global efforts to freeze/seize assets, and a full anti-hostage strategy.