Ask AI
Public Law117th CongressCrime and Law Enforcement
S. 4240Became Law

Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act

This bill became law

Filed
Comm.
Floor
Both
Law

What it doesSummary public law (Jan 5, 2023)

Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act

This act broadens the scope of individuals who are subject to federal prosecution for war crime offenses.

Currently, the federal war crimes statute provides federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses committed anywhere (i.e., inside or outside the United States) if the victim or offender is a member of the Armed Forces or a U.S. national.

First, this act extends federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses committed anywhere to offenses where (1) the victim or offender is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence; or (2) the offender is present in the United States, regardless of the nationality of the victim or the offender.

Second, the act expands federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses to include offenses that occur in whole or in part within the United States, regardless of whether the victim or offender is a member of the Armed Forces, a U.S. national, or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.

The act allows an indictment for certain war crime offenses to be instituted any time, making the statute of limitations inapplicable. To undertake a prosecution for war crime offenses, the act requires written certification that prosecution is in the public interest and is necessary to secure substantial justice. The certification is not subject to judicial review.

What just happenedJan 5, 2023

Became Public Law No: 117-351.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA](R-IA)Sponsor
7 cosponsors4 D3 R
Read on Congress.gov
7cosponsors1committees22actions1amendments1related bills6subjects
  1. Jan 5, 2023President

    Became Public Law No: 117-351.

  2. Jan 5, 2023BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 117-351.

  3. Jan 5, 2023President

    Signed by President.

  4. Jan 5, 2023BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Dec 28, 2022Floor

    Presented to President.

  6. Dec 28, 2022President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Dec 22, 2022FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  8. Dec 22, 2022FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H10012)

  9. Dec 22, 2022Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H10012)

  10. Dec 22, 2022FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 4240.

  11. Dec 22, 2022FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10012-10013)

  12. Dec 22, 2022FloorH30300

    Mr. Nadler moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  13. Dec 21, 2022FloorH15000

    Held at the desk.

  14. Dec 21, 2022FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  15. Dec 21, 2022Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  16. Dec 21, 2022Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S9713-9714)

  17. Dec 21, 2022Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S9713-9714)

  18. Dec 21, 2022Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S9713-9714)

  19. Dec 21, 2022Discharge

    Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Judiciary Committee
  20. Dec 21, 2022Committee14500

    Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Judiciary Committee
  21. May 18, 2022IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  22. May 18, 2022IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Public LawJan 5, 202349

Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act

This act broadens the scope of individuals who are subject to federal prosecution for war crime offenses.

Currently, the federal war crimes statute provides federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses committed anywhere (i.e., inside or outside the United States) if the victim or offender is a member of the Armed Forces or a U.S. national.

First, this act extends federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses committed anywhere to offenses where (1) the victim or offender is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence; or (2) the offender is present in the United States, regardless of the nationality of the victim or the offender.

Second, the act expands federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses to include offenses that occur in whole or in part within the United States, regardless of whether the victim or offender is a member of the Armed Forces, a U.S. national, or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.

The act allows an indictment for certain war crime offenses to be instituted any time, making the statute of limitations inapplicable. To undertake a prosecution for war crime offenses, the act requires written certification that prosecution is in the public interest and is necessary to secure substantial justice. The certification is not subject to judicial review.

Passed HouseDec 22, 202253

Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act

This bill broadens the scope of individuals who are subject to federal prosecution for war crime offenses.

Currently, the federal war crimes statute provides federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses committed anywhere (i.e., inside or outside the United States) if the victim or offender is a member of the Armed Forces or a U.S. national.

First, this bill extends federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses committed anywhere to offenses where (1) the victim or offender is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence; or (2) the offender is present in the United States, regardless of the nationality of the victim or the offender.

Second, the bill expands federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses to include offenses that occur in whole or in part within the United States, regardless of whether the victim or offender is a member of the Armed Forces, a U.S. national, or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.

The bill allows an indictment for certain war crime offenses to be instituted any time, making the statute of limitations inapplicable. To undertake a prosecution for war crime offenses, the bill requires written certification that prosecution is in the public interest and is necessary to secure substantial justice.

Passed SenateDec 21, 202255

Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act

This bill broadens the scope of individuals who are subject to federal prosecution for war crime offenses.

Currently, the federal war crimes statute provides federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses committed anywhere (i.e., inside or outside the United States) if the victim or offender is a member of the Armed Forces or a U.S. national.

First, this bill extends federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses committed anywhere to offenses where (1) the victim or offender is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence; or (2) the offender is present in the United States, regardless of the nationality of the victim or the offender.

Second, the bill expands federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses to include offenses that occur in whole or in part within the United States, regardless of whether the victim or offender is a member of the Armed Forces, a U.S. national, or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.

The bill allows an indictment for certain war crime offenses to be instituted any time, making the statute of limitations inapplicable. To undertake a prosecution for war crime offenses, the bill requires written certification that prosecution is in the public interest and is necessary to secure substantial justice.

Introduced in SenateMay 18, 2022

Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act

This bill broadens the scope of individuals who are subject to federal prosecution for war crime offenses.

Currently, the federal war crimes statute provides federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses committed anywhere (i.e., inside or outside the United States) if the victim or offender is a member of the Armed Forces or a U.S. national.

First, this bill extends federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses committed anywhere to offenses where (1) the victim or offender is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence; or (2) the offender is present in the United States, regardless of the nationality of the victim or the offender.

Second, the bill expands federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses to include offenses that occur in whole or in part within the United States, regardless of whether the victim or offender is a member of the Armed Forces, a U.S. national, or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.

Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act — Informed