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Bill

S 3273

A bill to prohibit awarding grants to States that arrest certain foreign officials in cooperation with the International Criminal Court, and for other purposes.

119th Congress Introduced by Ted Budd

Bill prohibits federal grants to states that arrest foreign officials per ICC warrants, effectively penalizing international judicial cooperation through funding restrictions.

Introduced in Senate
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 3273

Legislative bill overview

S 3273 would prohibit the federal government from awarding grants to any state that arrests foreign officials in cooperation with International Criminal Court (ICC) warrants or requests. The bill appears designed to penalize states that comply with ICC arrest warrants, particularly those targeting officials from countries the U.S. may wish to protect.

Why is this important

The U.S. has a complex relationship with the ICC—it is not a signatory to the Rome Statute but maintains observer status. This bill directly addresses tensions between state cooperation with international justice mechanisms and federal funding priorities. It could affect states' ability to receive federal grants across multiple programs if they comply with ICC requests, creating potential conflicts between international legal obligations and domestic policy.

Potential points of contention

  • Sovereignty vs. international law: The bill asserts federal authority over state law enforcement decisions regarding international cooperation, raising federalism questions about state autonomy in legal matters
  • ICC legitimacy and U.S. foreign policy: The bill reflects skepticism toward ICC authority and may protect U.S. allies or strategic partners from prosecution, raising concerns about selective justice
  • Grant leverage as coercion: Using federal funding as punishment for state cooperation with international courts could be viewed as weaponizing the grant system and limiting states' independent legal judgment
  • Practical enforcement challenges: Determining which arrests qualify and administering grant restrictions across diverse federal programs could prove administratively complex

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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