H.R. 7311

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7311 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7311

To authorize the President to impose sanctions with respect to any 
foreign person or entity that hinders, obstructs or delays Lebanon's 
electoral process, including efforts to restrict or prevent Lebanese 
citizens abroad from voting in parliamentary elections, and for other 
purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 2, 2026

Mr. Issa (for himself and Mr. LaHood) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition 
to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently 
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To authorize the President to impose sanctions with respect to any 
foreign person or entity that hinders, obstructs or delays Lebanon's 
electoral process, including efforts to restrict or prevent Lebanese 
citizens abroad from voting in parliamentary elections, and for other 
purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Lebanon Election Integrity and 
Diaspora Voting Protection Act of 2026''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) Free, fair, and timely elections are essential to 
Lebanon's sovereignty, political stability, and democratic 
governance.
(2) Lebanon's constitution and electoral laws provide for 
participation by Lebanese citizens residing abroad in 
parliamentary elections.
(3) Lebanon's diaspora population - estimated in the 
millions - plays a critical role in the country's civic, 
political, and economic life.
(4) Hezbollah and other armed groups, corrupt political 
elites, and foreign actors have historically exerted undue 
influence over Lebanon's political processes, including voter 
intimidation, manipulation of electoral administration, and 
obstruction of reforms enabling diaspora voting.
(5) Protecting the rights of Lebanese voters, including 
those abroad, is in the national security interest of the 
United States.

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF SANCTIONS.

(a) In General.--The President is authorized, in consultation as 
appropriate with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, 
and the Director of National Intelligence, to impose the sanctions 
described in subsection (b) with respect to any foreign person that the 
President determines--
(1) has engaged in, sponsored, or provided material support 
for actions that--
(A) constitute diaspora voting obstruction; or
(B) otherwise obstruct Lebanon's parliamentary 
elections;
(2) has obstructed the ability of Lebanese citizens abroad 
to vote according to Lebanese law;
(3) has acted on behalf of, or at the direction of, any 
entity engaged in such activities; or
(4) has financially, materially, or operationally assisted 
in any activity described in paragraphs (1) through (3).
(b) Sanctions Described.-- The sanctions described in this 
subsection are the following:
(1) Asset blocking.--Notwithstanding the requirements of 
section 202 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act 
(50 U.S.C. 1701), the President may exercise of all powers 
granted to the President by that Act to the extent necessary to 
block and prohibit all transactions in all property and 
interests in property of the foreign person if such property 
and interests in property are in the United States, come within 
the United States, or are or come within the possession or 
control of a United States person.
(2) Ineligibility for visas, admission, or parole.--
(A) Visas, admission, or parole.--A foreign person 
that is an alien shall be--
(i) inadmissible to the United States;
(ii) ineligible to receive a visa or other 
documentation to enter the United States; and
(iii) otherwise ineligible to be admitted 
or paroled into the United States or to receive 
any other benefit under the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
(B) Current visas revoked.--The foreign person 
shall be subject to the following:
(i) Revocation of any visa or other entry 
documentation regardless of when the visa or 
other entry documentation is or was issued.
(ii) A revocation under clause (i) shall 
take effect immediately and automatically 
cancel any other valid visa or entry 
documentation that is in the foreign person's 
possession.
(3) Other measures.--Any other sanction imposed using any 
of the powers granted to the President under the International 
Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).
(c) Penalty.--A person that violates, attempts to violate, 
conspires to violate, or causes a violation of subsection (d)(2)(A) or 
any regulation, license, or order issued under that subsection shall be 
subject to the penalties set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of 
section 206 of the International Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) 
to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act described 
in subsection (a) of that section.

SEC. 4. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

(a) Initial Report.--Not later than 60 days after date of the 
enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the Committee on 
Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, and the Committee 
on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Foreign Relations and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban 
Affairs of the Senate a report that includes--
(1) an identification of each foreign person the President 
determines has engaged in the actions described in section 
3(a);
(2) a description of efforts undermining diaspora voting 
among Lebanese citizens residing abroad; and
(3) an assessment of foreign government or proxy 
involvement, including Iran-backed entities, with respect to 
the upcoming Lebanese parliamentary elections in May 2026.
(b) Subsequent Reports.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the submission of the report required by subsection (a), and semi-
annually thereafter, the President shall submit to such committees an 
updated report on--
(1) new individuals or entities identified as having 
engaged in the actions described in section 3(a);
(2) any sanctions imposed in the preceding 180-day period 
with respect to such newly identified individuals;
(3) progress or setbacks in Lebanon's election 
administration; and
(4) recommendations for strengthening election integrity 
and diaspora participation.

SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) The terms ``admission'', ``admitted'', and ``alien'' 
have the meanings given such terms in section 101 of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101).
(2) The term ``foreign person'' means any individual or 
entity that is not a United States person.
(3) The term ``diaspora voting obstruction'' means any 
action that directly or indirectly--
(A) prevents, limits, delays, or manipulates the 
ability of Lebanese citizens residing abroad to vote in 
Lebanon's parliamentary elections;
(B) undermines voter registration, ballot 
distribution, ballot collection, or vote tabulation for 
overseas voters;
(C) intimidates, threatens, coerces, or retaliates 
against diaspora voters; or
(D) otherwise interferes with election 
administration in ways inconsistent with Lebanese law.
(4) The term ``obstruct'', with respect to Lebanon's 
parliamentary elections, includes any action that--
(A) undermines the timely conduct of parliamentary 
elections;
(B) corrupts or manipulates electoral institutions;
(C) engages in political violence or coercion to 
influence outcomes; or
(D) materially supports such activities.
(5) The term ``United States person'' means--
(A) a citizen, national, or alien lawfully admitted 
for permanent residence in the United States;
(B) an entity organized under the laws of the 
United States or any jurisdiction within the United 
States, including any foreign subsidiaries of such an 
entity; and
(C) any person located in the United States.

SEC. 6. TERMINATION.

The authority to impose sanctions under this Act shall terminate 
on the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this 
Act.
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