Congress Passes Sanction Sea Pirates Act, Imposes Sanctions on Pirates and Their Enablers

The House has passed H.R. 1998, the Sanction Sea Pirates Act of 2025, with a 392-14 vote. The bill aims to combat piracy by imposing sanctions on individuals and entities engaged in such activities. Sanctions include asset blocking, visa restrictions, and penalties for violations. Exceptions are provided for compliance with international obligations, humanitarian assistance, and national security activities. The President has the authority to waive sanctions for national security reasons and to enforce sanctions fully. Relevant companies include MMA Offshore, a shipping company.

The House of Representatives has passed H.R. 1998, the Sanction Sea Pirates Act of 2025, with a vote of 392-14. The bill, introduced by Representative Jonathan L. Jackson, aims to combat piracy by imposing sanctions on individuals and entities engaged in such activities [1].

The Sanction Sea Pirates Act of 2025 seeks to address the rising threat of piracy, particularly off the coasts of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden. The bill recognizes the increased risk to global shipping markets and the endangerment of crews due to recent piracy incidents [1].

Key elements of the bill include:

- Purpose: The legislation aims to combat piracy by imposing sanctions on individuals and entities engaged in such activities.
- Sanctions: The President is required to impose sanctions on any foreign person determined to be knowingly engaging in piracy. These sanctions include asset blocking, visa restrictions, and penalties for violations [1].
- Exceptions: Exceptions to the sanctions are provided for compliance with international obligations, humanitarian assistance, and activities related to U.S. intelligence, law enforcement, or national security [1].
- Implementation: The President has the authority to enforce these sanctions fully and to waive sanctions if deemed necessary for national security reasons [1].

Relevant companies that may be affected by this bill include MMA Offshore, a shipping company that operates in regions susceptible to piracy [1].

The bill, which aligns with existing legal frameworks, provides clear definitions for terms such as "foreign person," "U.S. person," and "piracy" [1].

References:
[1] https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/congress-vote-house-has-passed-hr-1998-sanction-sea-pirates-act-2025