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This bill states that the United States is not part of the Rome Statute (the treaty that created the International Criminal Court, or ICC) and does not accept the ICC’s legal authority over the U.S. or its people. It points out that although a past president signed the treaty in 2000, it was never sent to the Senate for approval, and a later administration said the U.S. would not join. The resolution objects to recent actions by the ICC prosecutor seeking arrest warrants for two Israeli leaders, and it says the House of Representatives condemns those actions. The bill also says the House stands with Israel, supports its right to defend itself, and wants to protect Israeli leaders from what it calls improper international legal moves. In short, the measure reaffirms U.S. nonparticipation in the ICC, criticizes the court’s recent targeting of Israeli officials, and expresses political support for Israel.
- Reaffirms that the U.S. is not a party to the Rome Statute and does not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction over the United States or its leaders.
- Notes that the Rome Statute was signed by a past president but never sent to the Senate for the two-thirds approval required for treaty ratification.
- Condemns recent ICC actions seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
- Affirms the House’s support for Israel, including its right to defend itself and its leaders from what the resolution calls unwarranted international legal actions.
Official Summaries
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 Full 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.
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