[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 124 (Wednesday, July 29, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4346-S4348]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 6715. Mr. PAUL (for himself, Mr. Wyden, Ms. Cantwell, Ms. Hirono,
Mr. Warnock, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Kim, and Mrs. Murray)
submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 6711
submitted by Mrs. Britt (for Ms. Graham (for herself and Mr.
Blumenthal)) and intended to be proposed to the bill H.R. 5334, to
amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood
educators
[[Page S4347]]
to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes; which
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Strike sections 113 through 117 of the amendment and
insert the following:
SEC. 113. EXCEPTIONS.
(a) Exception for Humanitarian Assistance.--
(1) In general.--Sanctions and other measures under this
title shall not apply to--
(A) the conduct or facilitation of a transaction for the
provision of agricultural commodities, food, medicine,
medical devices, humanitarian assistance, or for humanitarian
purposes; or
(B) transactions that are necessary for, or related to, the
activities described in subparagraph (A).
(2) Rule of interpretation.--This subsection should be
interpreted to apply to an entity carrying out any
internationally recognized agreement with the Government of
Ukraine for the sale or provision of agricultural
commodities, food, medicine, or medical devices to and from
Ukraine unless the President determines that the agreement is
being used to evade sanctions imposed by the United States,
the United Kingdom, the European Union, or the Group of 7.
(3) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Agricultural commodity.--The term ``agricultural
commodity'' has the meaning given such term in section 102 of
the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5602).
(B) Medical device.--The term ``medical device'' has the
meaning given the term ``device'' in section 201 of the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).
(C) Medicine.--The term ``medicine'' has the meaning given
the term ``drug'' in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).
(b) Exception for Intelligence and Law Enforcement
Activities.--This title shall not apply with respect to
activities subject to the reporting requirements under title
V of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3091 et
seq.) or to carry out or assist any authorized intelligence
or law enforcement activities of the United States.
(c) Exception To Comply With International Obligations.--
Sanctions under this title shall not apply to the admission
or parole of an alien into the United States if such
admission or parole is necessary to comply with United States
obligations under the Agreement between the United Nations
and the United States of America regarding the Headquarters
of the United Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947,
and entered into force November 21, 1947, or under the
Convention on Consular Relations, done at Vienna April 24,
1963, and entered into force March 19, 1967, or other
international obligations.
(d) Exception To Comply With Civilian Nuclear Cooperation
Agreements.--This title shall not apply to activities carried
out under an agreement for cooperation between the United
States and the Russian Federation entered into under section
123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2153).
(e) Exception for Certain Imports of Low-Enriched Uranium
for Nuclear Reactors.--This title shall not apply with
respect to imports into the United States of low-enriched
uranium described in paragraph (1) of section 3112A(d) of the
USEC Privatization Act (42 U.S.C. 2297h-10a(d)) or medical
isotopes for which a waiver has been issued under paragraph
(2) of that section.
(f) Exception for Official Government Business.--This title
shall not apply to transactions for the conduct of official
business of the United States Government (including
transactions necessary for the operation of the United States
embassy or United States consulates in the Russian
Federation) or the United Nations (including its specialized
agencies, programs, funds, and related organizations) by
employees, grantees, or contractors thereof.
(g) Exception for Non-Russian Oil That Transits Russian
Territory.--This title shall not apply to oil originating in
a country other than the Russian Federation that transits the
territory of the Russian Federation, or to any entity that
transports such oil, for export to international markets.
(h) General Licenses.--
(1) In general.--This title shall not apply with respect to
a United States person that is operating under the terms of a
general license issued by the Department of the Treasury
before the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this title shall be
construed to affect the terms of a general license described
in paragraph (1), the authority of United States persons to
continue to operate under such a license, or the authority of
the Secretary of the Treasury to extend or issue new general
licenses.
(i) Exception for Winddown Operations.--During the 270-day
period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act,
sanctions under this title shall not apply with respect to--
(1) an activity related to the winddown or divestiture of
operations in the Russian Federation by an entity located in
the Russian Federation that is not owned or controlled,
directly or indirectly, by a Russian person; or
(2) an entity located in the Russian Federation that is
owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by a United
States person if that United States person is engaged in good
faith efforts to winddown or divest operations in the Russian
Federation, including providing ongoing operational support
to wind down or divest operations.
(j) Exception for Safety of Vessels and Crew.--Sanctions
under this title shall not apply with respect to a person
providing provisions to a vessel otherwise subject to
sanctions under this title if such provisions are intended--
(1) for the safety and care of the crew aboard the vessel;
(2) for the protection of human life aboard the vessel; or
(3) to avoid any environmental or other significant damage.
(k) Exception Relating to Activities of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration.--
(1) In general.--This title shall not apply with respect to
activities of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration.
(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this title shall be
construed to authorize the imposition of any sanction or
other condition, limitation, restriction, prohibition, or
other measure, that directly or indirectly impedes the supply
by any entity of the Russian Federation of any product or
service, or the procurement of such product or service by any
contractor or subcontractor of the United States or any other
entity, relating to or in connection with any space launch
conducted for--
(A) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; or
(B) any other non-Department of Defense customer.
SEC. 114. WAIVER.
(a) In General.--The President may, subject to subsection
(b), waive the application of any sanctions provision with
respect to a foreign person, any restriction with respect to
a person, or any duty under this title.
(b) Reports Required.--
(1) In general.--Before issuing a waiver under subsection
(a), the President shall submit to Congress--
(A) a certification in writing that the issuance of the
waiver is in the national interests of the United States; and
(B) a report explaining the basis for the certification.
(2) Consolidation of reports.--If the President is issuing
more than one waiver of a section of this title, the
President may include, in one report submitted under
paragraph (1), the certifications and explanations required
by that paragraph with respect to each such waiver, as long
as all of such certifications and explanations relate to a
waiver of the same section of this title.
(3) Form of report.--Each report required by paragraph (1)
shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a
classified annex.
SEC. 115. SANCTIONS IMPLEMENTATION AND PENALTIES.
(a) Implementation.--The President may exercise all
authorities provided under sections 203 and 205 of the
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702
and 1704) to carry out sections 102 through 111.
(b) Penalties.--The penalties provided for in subsections
(b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) shall apply to any
person that violates, attempts to violate, conspires to
violate, or causes a violation of any prohibition under any
of sections 102 through 111, or an order or regulation
prescribed under any of such sections, to the same extent
that such penalties apply to a person that commits an
unlawful act described in subsection (a) of that section.
SEC. 116. TERMINATION.
(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), the President
may terminate the application of any sanction with respect to
a foreign person, any restriction with respect to a person,
or any duty under this title, if the President submits to
Congress a report--
(1) certifying in writing that--
(A) in the case of the termination of the application of a
sanction, restriction, or duty with respect to a Russian
person or the Russian Federation, the Russian Federation
has--
(i) signed a peace agreement that is accepted by the free
and independent Government of Ukraine; and
(ii) ceased all military hostilities against and any
activities to overthrow, dismantle, and subvert the
Government of Ukraine; or
(B) in the case of the termination of the application of a
sanction or restriction with respect to any foreign person or
foreign country (other than a Russian person or the Russian
Federation)--
(i) the foreign person or the government of the foreign
country, as the case may be, is not engaging in the activity
that was the basis for the sanctions or other measures being
terminated; and
(ii) the President has received reliable assurances that
the foreign person or the government of the foreign country,
as the case may be, will not knowingly engage in activity
subject to sanctions or other measures under this title in
the future; and
(2) that includes, in the case of a report not relating to
the termination of a duty under section 112, a determination
of whether the termination is intended to significantly alter
United States foreign policy with regard to the Russian
Federation.
(b) Period for Review by Congress.--
(1) In general.--During the period of 30 calendar days
beginning on the date on which the President submits a report
under subsection (a) with respect to the termination of the
application of a sanction, restriction, or duty under this
title, the termination shall not take effect. If, after the
end
[[Page S4348]]
of that period, a joint resolution of disapproval with
respect to the termination has not been enacted into law
under subsection (c), the termination may take effect.
(2) Consideration by congress.--During the period described
in paragraph (1), the appropriate committee of the Senate and
the appropriate committee of the House of Representatives
should, as appropriate, hold hearings and briefings and
otherwise obtain information in order to fully review the
report.
(3) Exception.--The period for congressional review under
paragraph (1) of a report required to be submitted under
subsection (a) shall be 60 calendar days if the report is
submitted on or after July 10 and on or before September 7 in
any calendar year.
(c) Joint Resolution of Disapproval.--
(1) Joint resolution of disapproval defined.--In this
subsection, the term ``joint resolution of disapproval''
means only a joint resolution of either House of Congress the
sole matter after the resolving clause of which is as
follows: ``That Congress disapproves of the termination of
the application of section __ of the Lindsey O. Graham
Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, with respect to
which the President submitted a report on ___.'', with the
first blank space being filled with the appropriate section
number and the second blank space being filled with the
appropriate date.
(2) Introduction.--During the period of 30 calendar days
provided for under subsection (b)(1), including any
additional period as applicable under the exception provided
in subsection (b)(3), a joint resolution of disapproval may
be introduced--
(A) in the House of Representatives, by the majority leader
or the minority leader; and
(B) in the Senate, by the majority leader (or a designee of
the majority leader) or the minority leader (or a designee of
the minority leader).
(3) Consideration in house of representatives.--
(A) Reporting and discharge.--Any committee of the House of
Representatives to which a joint resolution of disapproval is
referred shall report it to the House of Representatives
without amendment not later than 10 calendar days after the
date of referral. If a committee fails to report the joint
resolution within that period, the committee shall be
discharged from further consideration of the joint resolution
and the joint resolution shall be referred to the appropriate
calendar.
(B) Proceeding to consideration.--After each committee
authorized to consider a joint resolution of disapproval
reports it to the House of Representatives or has been
discharged from its consideration, it shall be in order to
move to proceed to consider the joint resolution of
disapproval in the House of Representatives. All points of
order against the motion are waived. The previous question
shall be considered as ordered on the motion to its adoption
without intervening motion. The motion shall not be
debatable. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the
motion is disposed of shall not be in order.
(C) Consideration.--The joint resolution of disapproval
shall be considered as read. All points of order against the
joint resolution of disapproval and against its consideration
are waived. The previous question shall be considered as
ordered on the joint resolution of disapproval to its passage
without intervening motion except 2 hours of debate equally
divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent. A
motion to reconsider the vote on passage of the joint
resolution of disapproval shall not be in order.
(4) Consideration in the senate.--
(A) Committee referral.--A joint resolution of disapproval
introduced in the Senate shall be referred to the appropriate
committee of the Senate.
(B) Reporting and discharge.--If the appropriate committee
of the Senate has not reported the joint resolution within 10
calendar days after the date of referral of the joint
resolution, that committee shall be discharged from further
consideration of the joint resolution and the joint
resolution shall be placed on the appropriate calendar.
(C) Proceeding to consideration.--Notwithstanding Rule XXII
of the Standing Rules of the Senate, it is in order at any
time after the appropriate committee of the Senate reports a
joint resolution of disapproval to the Senate or has been
discharged from consideration of such a joint resolution to
move to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution,
and all points of order against the joint resolution (and
against consideration of the joint resolution) are waived.
The motion to proceed is not debatable. The motion is not
subject to a motion to postpone. A motion to reconsider the
vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to shall
not be in order. Approval by the Senate of a motion to
proceed to a joint resolution of disapproval shall require
the affirmative vote of three-fifths of Members of the
Senate, duly chosen and sworn.
(D) Consideration.--Consideration in the Senate of a joint
resolution of disapproval and of all debatable motions and
appeals in connection therewith shall not exceed a total of
10 hours, which shall be divided equally between the majority
and minority leaders or their designees. Any debatable motion
or appeal is debatable for not to exceed 1 hour, to be
divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the
motion or appeal.
(E) No amendments or motions.--An amendment to a joint
resolution of disapproval, a motion to postpone, a motion to
proceed to the consideration of other business, or a motion
to recommit the joint resolution is not in order.
(F) Vote on joint resolution.--If the Senate has voted to
proceed to a joint resolution of disapproval, the vote on
approval of the joint resolution shall occur immediately
following the conclusion of consideration of the joint
resolution, and a single quorum call if requested. Approval
by the Senate of a joint resolution of disapproval shall
require the affirmative vote of three-fifths of Members of
the Senate, duly chosen and sworn.
(G) Consideration of veto messages.--Consideration in the
Senate of any veto message with respect to a joint resolution
of disapproval, including all debatable motions and appeals
in connection with the joint resolution, shall be limited to
10 hours, to be equally divided between, and controlled by,
the majority leader and the minority leader or their
designees.
(5) Treatment of house joint resolution in senate.--
(A) If, before the passage by the Senate of a joint
resolution of disapproval, the Senate receives an identical
joint resolution from the House of Representatives, the
following procedures shall apply:
(i) That joint resolution shall not be referred to a
committee.
(ii) With respect to that joint resolution--
(I) the procedure in the Senate shall be the same as if no
joint resolution had been received from the House of
Representatives; but
(II) the vote on passage shall be on the joint resolution
from the House of Representatives.
(B) If the Senate passes a joint resolution of disapproval
before receiving a joint resolution of disapproval from the
House of Representatives, the joint resolution passed by the
Senate shall be held at the desk pending receipt of the joint
resolution from the House of Representatives. Upon receipt of
a joint resolution from the House of Representatives that is
identical to the joint resolution passed by the Senate, the
Senate shall proceed to its immediate consideration and the
joint resolution shall be considered read a third time and
passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and
laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
(C) If a joint resolution of disapproval is received from
the House, and no companion joint resolution has been
introduced in the Senate, the Senate procedures under this
subsection shall apply to the House joint resolution.
(6) Rules of house of representatives and senate.--This
subsection is enacted by Congress--
(A) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate
and the House of Representatives, respectively, and as such
is deemed a part of the rules of each House, respectively,
and supersedes other rules only to the extent that it is
inconsistent with such rules; and
(B) with full recognition of the constitutional right of
either House to change the rules (so far as relating to the
procedure of that House) at any time, in the same manner, and
to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of that
House.
(7) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Appropriate committee of the house of
representatives.--The term ``appropriate committee of the
House of Representatives'' means--
(i) with respect to the termination of a duty under section
112, the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives;
(ii) with respect to the termination of any sanction or
restriction under any of sections 102 through 111 that is
intended to significantly alter United States foreign policy
with regard to the Russian Federation, the Committee on
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; or
(iii) with respect to the termination of any sanction or
restriction under any of sections 102 through 111 that is not
intended to significantly alter United States foreign policy
with regard to the Russian Federation, the Committee on
Financial Services of the House of Representatives.
(B) Appropriate committee of the senate.--The term
``appropriate committee of the Senate'' means--
(i) with respect to the termination of a duty under section
112, the Committee on Finance of the Senate;
(ii) with respect to the termination of any sanction or
restriction under any of sections 102 through 111 that is
intended to significantly alter United States foreign policy
with regard to the Russian Federation, the Committee on
Foreign Relations of the Senate; or
(iii) with respect to the termination of any sanction or
restriction under any of sections 102 through 111 that is not
intended to significantly alter United States foreign policy
with regard to the Russian Federation, the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
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