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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7311 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7311
To authorize the President to impose sanctions with respect to any
foreign person or entity that hinders, obstructs or delays Lebanon's
electoral process, including efforts to restrict or prevent Lebanese
citizens abroad from voting in parliamentary elections, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 2, 2026
Mr. Issa (for himself and Mr. LaHood) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition
to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the President to impose sanctions with respect to any
foreign person or entity that hinders, obstructs or delays Lebanon's
electoral process, including efforts to restrict or prevent Lebanese
citizens abroad from voting in parliamentary elections, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Lebanon Election Integrity and
Diaspora Voting Protection Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Free, fair, and timely elections are essential to
Lebanon's sovereignty, political stability, and democratic
governance.
(2) Lebanon's constitution and electoral laws provide for
participation by Lebanese citizens residing abroad in
parliamentary elections.
(3) Lebanon's diaspora population - estimated in the
millions - plays a critical role in the country's civic,
political, and economic life.
(4) Hezbollah and other armed groups, corrupt political
elites, and foreign actors have historically exerted undue
influence over Lebanon's political processes, including voter
intimidation, manipulation of electoral administration, and
obstruction of reforms enabling diaspora voting.
(5) Protecting the rights of Lebanese voters, including
those abroad, is in the national security interest of the
United States.
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF SANCTIONS.
(a) In General.--The President is authorized, in consultation as
appropriate with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury,
and the Director of National Intelligence, to impose the sanctions
described in subsection (b) with respect to any foreign person that the
President determines--
(1) has engaged in, sponsored, or provided material support
for actions that--
(A) constitute diaspora voting obstruction; or
(B) otherwise obstruct Lebanon's parliamentary
elections;
(2) has obstructed the ability of Lebanese citizens abroad
to vote according to Lebanese law;
(3) has acted on behalf of, or at the direction of, any
entity engaged in such activities; or
(4) has financially, materially, or operationally assisted
in any activity described in paragraphs (1) through (3).
(b) Sanctions Described.-- The sanctions described in this
subsection are the following:
(1) Asset blocking.--Notwithstanding the requirements of
section 202 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act
(50 U.S.C. 1701), the President may exercise of all powers
granted to the President by that Act to the extent necessary to
block and prohibit all transactions in all property and
interests in property of the foreign person if such property
and interests in property are in the United States, come within
the United States, or are or come within the possession or
control of a United States person.
(2) Ineligibility for visas, admission, or parole.--
(A) Visas, admission, or parole.--A foreign person
that is an alien shall be--
(i) inadmissible to the United States;
(ii) ineligible to receive a visa or other
documentation to enter the United States; and
(iii) otherwise ineligible to be admitted
or paroled into the United States or to receive
any other benefit under the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
(B) Current visas revoked.--The foreign person
shall be subject to the following:
(i) Revocation of any visa or other entry
documentation regardless of when the visa or
other entry documentation is or was issued.
(ii) A revocation under clause (i) shall
take effect immediately and automatically
cancel any other valid visa or entry
documentation that is in the foreign person's
possession.
(3) Other measures.--Any other sanction imposed using any
of the powers granted to the President under the International
Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).
(c) Penalty.--A person that violates, attempts to violate,
conspires to violate, or causes a violation of subsection (d)(2)(A) or
any regulation, license, or order issued under that subsection shall be
subject to the penalties set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of
section 206 of the International Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705)
to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act described
in subsection (a) of that section.
SEC. 4. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.
(a) Initial Report.--Not later than 60 days after date of the
enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, and the Committee
on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Foreign Relations and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs of the Senate a report that includes--
(1) an identification of each foreign person the President
determines has engaged in the actions described in section
3(a);
(2) a description of efforts undermining diaspora voting
among Lebanese citizens residing abroad; and
(3) an assessment of foreign government or proxy
involvement, including Iran-backed entities, with respect to
the upcoming Lebanese parliamentary elections in May 2026.
(b) Subsequent Reports.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the submission of the report required by subsection (a), and semi-
annually thereafter, the President shall submit to such committees an
updated report on--
(1) new individuals or entities identified as having
engaged in the actions described in section 3(a);
(2) any sanctions imposed in the preceding 180-day period
with respect to such newly identified individuals;
(3) progress or setbacks in Lebanon's election
administration; and
(4) recommendations for strengthening election integrity
and diaspora participation.
SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) The terms ``admission'', ``admitted'', and ``alien''
have the meanings given such terms in section 101 of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101).
(2) The term ``foreign person'' means any individual or
entity that is not a United States person.
(3) The term ``diaspora voting obstruction'' means any
action that directly or indirectly--
(A) prevents, limits, delays, or manipulates the
ability of Lebanese citizens residing abroad to vote in
Lebanon's parliamentary elections;
(B) undermines voter registration, ballot
distribution, ballot collection, or vote tabulation for
overseas voters;
(C) intimidates, threatens, coerces, or retaliates
against diaspora voters; or
(D) otherwise interferes with election
administration in ways inconsistent with Lebanese law.
(4) The term ``obstruct'', with respect to Lebanon's
parliamentary elections, includes any action that--
(A) undermines the timely conduct of parliamentary
elections;
(B) corrupts or manipulates electoral institutions;
(C) engages in political violence or coercion to
influence outcomes; or
(D) materially supports such activities.
(5) The term ``United States person'' means--
(A) a citizen, national, or alien lawfully admitted
for permanent residence in the United States;
(B) an entity organized under the laws of the
United States or any jurisdiction within the United
States, including any foreign subsidiaries of such an
entity; and
(C) any person located in the United States.
SEC. 6. TERMINATION.
The authority to impose sanctions under this Act shall terminate
on the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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