Return to Palestinian Entities Accountability and Counterterrorism Enforcement Act; Return to PEACE Act
Summary
The "Return to PEACE Act" aims to codify existing sanctions against members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and officials of the Palestinian Authority (PA). These sanctions deny visas to individuals associated with these entities. The bill allows the Secretary of State to waive these sanctions for renewable 180-day periods under specific conditions.
The waiver requires a determination that the PLO and PA are not undermining prior commitments, internationalizing the conflict with Israel, supporting terrorism, or providing payments to terrorists and their families. The Act includes a sunset clause, terminating seven years after enactment.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of the bill is to make existing sanctions law, providing more certainty regarding US policy towards the PLO and PA. The waiver provision allows for flexibility in applying the sanctions based on the actions of the PLO and PA. The sunset clause ensures that the sanctions are reviewed periodically.
If enacted, this bill would likely result in continued restrictions on travel to the US for certain individuals associated with the PLO and PA, unless waivers are granted. This could impact diplomatic relations and peace negotiations.
Potential Benefits
- Reinforces existing counter-terrorism measures by codifying sanctions.
- Provides a framework for the Secretary of State to waive sanctions based on specific conditions, allowing for flexibility in response to changes in PLO/PA behavior.
- Sends a clear message that the US opposes actions that undermine peace efforts or support terrorism.
- The sunset clause ensures periodic review of the sanctions' effectiveness and relevance.
- Could incentivize the PLO and PA to cease actions that contradict prior commitments and support for terrorism.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May hinder diplomatic efforts by restricting travel for PLO and PA officials.
- Could be perceived as biased and undermine the US's role as a neutral mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- The waiver process could be subject to political influence, potentially leading to inconsistent application of the sanctions.
- May negatively impact humanitarian efforts if sanctions prevent aid workers from traveling to the region.
- Could further destabilize the region if it exacerbates tensions between the US, the PLO, and the PA.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality is primarily related to the power of Congress to regulate immigration and foreign policy. Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and to establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization. The bill does not appear to infringe on individual rights protected by the Bill of Rights.
The waiver provision granted to the Secretary of State raises questions about the delegation of legislative power. However, such delegations are generally upheld if Congress provides an "intelligible principle" to guide the executive's discretion, which the bill attempts to do through the determination criteria in subsection (c).
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).