Summary

Directs the United States to crack down on maritime piracy by requiring sanctions on foreign persons who knowingly engage in piracy. Sanctions include freezing assets under U.S. jurisdiction and imposing visa bans. It encourages close cooperation with allies and partners to reduce recent attacks in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Western Indian Ocean. The measure includes exceptions for international obligations and humanitarian work, uses existing national emergency powers for enforcement, allows a narrow presidential waiver with congressional notice, and clarifies the sanctions do not cover the importation of goods.

Key Points

• Mandates U.S. sanctions on foreign persons who knowingly engage in piracy.
• Sanctions include asset freezes and visa/entry bans.
• Encourages U.S. cooperation with allies and partners to combat piracy near Somalia and the Gulf of Aden.
• Includes exceptions for international obligations, humanitarian assistance, and U.S. intelligence/law enforcement activities.
• Specifies that sanctions do not cover the importation of goods and defines “good.”
• Implements and enforces sanctions using IEEPA authorities and penalties.
• Allows use of classified information in court under protective procedures.
• Provides a national-interest waiver with 15 days’ advance notice to Congress.

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