Press Releases

WASHINGTON — Speaker Johnson released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 8282, the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“The House's decision to impose sanctions on the ICC is a necessary response to its outrageous and unfounded claims of authority. Today’s vote draws a line in the sand for lawless action by ICC officials. The U.S. firmly stands with Israel and refuses to allow international bureaucrats to baselessly issue arrest warrants to Israeli leadership for false crimes.

“It’s alarming that the Biden Administration continues to undermine Israel and now, 155 House Democrats have voted to give the ICC a free pass to target our allies and undermine U.S. national security interests.”

Background:

• On May 20, the International Criminal Court Prosecutor filed applications for illegitimate arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
• The ICC does not have jurisdiction over the United States or Israel. If the ICC issues arrest warrants for Israeli officials, it would set a dangerous precedent that is a risk to the United States.
• H.R. 8282 imposes sanctions on the ICC and any foreign actor who supports their effort to arrest, detain, or prosecute protected persons of the United States and its allies, including Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Gallant.