HRES9 • 119

Reaffirming that the United States is not a party to the Rome Statute and does not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.

Active

The latest official action still shows this bill moving through Congress or waiting on another formal step.

Sponsor: Rep. Andy Biggs (AZ)
Last action: 2025-01-03
Official status: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Resolution on U.S. Stance Toward the International Criminal Court

This resolution states that the United States is not part of the Rome Statute, does not accept the authority of the International Criminal Court, and condemns arrest warrant applications for Israeli leaders.

What This Bill Does

Reaffirms that the United States is not a party to the Rome Statute treaty.
States that the U.S. does not recognize the jurisdiction or legitimacy of the International Criminal Court.
Condemns the ICC's issuance of arrest warrant applications for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Reiterates support for Israel's right to defend itself and its leaders from unwarranted international legal actions.

Who It Names or Affects

The United States government
The International Criminal Court (ICC)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant

Terms To Know

Rome Statute: The international treaty that created the International Criminal Court.
International Criminal Court (ICC): An independent court established to try individuals for serious crimes like genocide and war crimes.

Limits and Unknowns

This is a House resolution, which expresses the opinion of one chamber but does not create new laws or change existing treaties.
The text notes that President Clinton signed the Rome Statute in 2000 but did not send it to the Senate for ratification.

Bill History

2025-01-03 House floor actions
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
2025-01-03 Library of Congress
Submitted in House
2025-01-03 Library of Congress
Submitted in House

Official Summary Text

This resolution reaffirms that the United States in not a party to the Rome Statute and does not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The resolution also (1) condemns the ICC's issuance of arrest warrant applications for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, and (2) supports Israel's right to defend itself and its leaders from unwarranted international legal actions.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 9 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 9

Reaffirming that the United States is not a party to the Rome Statute
and does not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal
Court.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 3, 2025

Mr. Biggs of Arizona submitted the following resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Reaffirming that the United States is not a party to the Rome Statute
and does not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal
Court.

Whereas the Constitution requires approval from two-thirds of the Senators
present for ratification and confirmation of international treaties;
Whereas President Bill Clinton signed the Rome Statute on December 31, 2000, but
did not submit the treaty to the Senate for ratification;
Whereas, on May 6, 2002, the Bush administration announced that the United
States does not intend to become a party to the Rome Statute of the
International Criminal Court;
Whereas Article 125 of the Rome Statute states that it is ``subject to
ratification, acceptance, or approval by signatory States'';
Whereas, on May 20, 2024, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court,
Karim Khan, took unprecedented measures announcing arrest warrant
applications for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister
of Defense Yoav Gallant;
Whereas the United States and Israel are not parties to the Rome Statute or
members of the International Criminal Court; and
Whereas the United States does not recognize the legitimacy or jurisdiction of
the International Criminal Court: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) reaffirms that the United States is not a party to the
Rome Statute and does not recognize the jurisdiction of the
International Criminal Court;
(2) condemns the International Criminal Court's issuance of
arrest warrant applications for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant; and
(3) reiterates its unwavering support for the State of
Israel and its right to defend itself and its leaders from
unwarranted international legal actions.
<all>