H.R. 6194: Protecting Americans from Russian Litigation Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Protecting Americans from Russian Litigation Act of 2025, aims to limit certain civil legal actions related to United States sanctions, specifically in the context of compliance with those sanctions. Below is a breakdown of key provisions in simpler terms:

Short Title

The law is referred to as the "Protecting Americans from Russian Litigation Act of 2025".

Policy Statement

The bill states that it is U.S. policy to:

• Ensure that U.S. individuals and businesses are not at a disadvantage when they take actions to comply with U.S. sanctions or export controls.
• Prevent foreign entities from suing U.S. individuals or businesses for actions taken in good faith to comply with U.S. sanctions or export controls.

Restrictions on Civil Actions

The bill introduces a new section to federal law that limits the ability of individuals or entities to bring civil lawsuits in U.S. courts under certain conditions:

• A civil action cannot be brought to enforce a foreign judgment or arbitral award if the claim is based on actions taken to comply with U.S. sanctions that impede a contract.
• If a foreign court or tribunal claims jurisdiction based, in part, on U.S. sanctions, U.S. individuals or entities cannot be sued in their courts to enforce that judgment or award.

Removal and Dismissal of Actions

If a lawsuit is filed to recognize or enforce a judgment that falls under these restrictions, the defendant can have the case removed to a U.S. federal court, which must then dismiss the lawsuit.

Clarifications

This section clarifies that the new rules do not:

• Limit the power of U.S. officials, including the President or a delegate, to initiate legal actions or responsibilities under U.S. law.
• Restrict any rights for victims of specific serious crimes, such as terrorism or torture, to seek compensation under applicable laws, regardless of the new limitations.
• Affect contractual rights if the parties have agreed to resolve any disputes through U.S. courts or arbitration within the U.S.
• Impact any legal claims arising from U.S. laws not specifically related to enforcing foreign judgments influenced by U.S. sanctions.

Definition of U.S. Sanctions

The bill defines "U.S. sanctions" to include any prohibitions or restrictions imposed by the United States regarding transactions that involve foreign interests, which are enacted to respond to threats against national security, foreign policy, or the economy of the U.S.

Applicability

The new law applies to civil actions that were pending or filed after the bill is enacted.

Relevant Companies

• None found