IGO Anti-Boycott Act

House Bill

H.R. 867

119th Congress

IGO Anti-Boycott Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 31, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Cynthia M. Lummis

Senator

Republican

WY

Cosponsors

24

Quick Stats

Policy Area

International Affairs

Summary

The IGO Anti-Boycott Act extends existing anti-boycott laws to cover boycotts imposed by international governmental organizations against countries friendly to the U.S. It prohibits U.S. persons from refusing to do business, furnishing information, or discriminating in response to IGO boycotts. Criminal penalties include up to 1 million dollars in fines and 20 years imprisonment. Annual reports must identify involved countries and organizations.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The IGO Anti-Boycott Act extends existing anti-boycott laws to cover boycotts imposed by international governmental organizations against countries friendly to the U.S. It prohibits U.S. persons from refusing to do business, furnishing information, or discriminating in response to IGO boycotts. Criminal penalties include up to 1 million dollars in fines and 20 years imprisonment. Annual reports must identify involved countries and organizations.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

IGO Anti-Boycott ActThis bill penalizes U.S. persons (individuals or entities) that participate in certain boycotts imposed by international governmental organizations (IGOs).The bill expands an existing law that prohibits various actions by U.S. persons in relation to boycotts imposed by foreign governments on a country that is friendly to the United States and not itself the object of a U.S. boycott. This bill applies those prohibitions to similar boycotts imposed by IGOs.Prohibited actions include (1) refusing to do business with companies organized under the laws of the boycotted country, if the refusal is pursuant to an agreement with or request from the country or IGO imposing the boycott; (2) furnishing information about whether any person has a business relationship with or in the boycotted country; and (3) furnishing information about whether someone is associated with charitable or fraternal organizations that support the boycotted country.Criminal penalties for willful violations of this law include fines of up to $1 million. In addition to such fines, individuals may be imprisoned for up to 20 years. Civil penalties may include fines and revocations of export licenses for certain national security-related items.The bill also requires the President to annually submit to Congress and make available to the public a report describing these boycotts and listing the foreign countries and international organizations involved in fostering or imposing them.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Extends anti-boycott laws to international organizations
Prohibits compliance with IGO boycotts of friendly countries
Criminal penalties up to 1 million dollars and 20 years
Civil penalties include export license revocation
Annual reporting on IGO boycott activities
Protects business relationships with boycotted countries

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This bill expands existing anti-boycott laws that primarily addressed the Arab League boycott of Israel to cover boycotts by any international governmental organization. It creates significant penalties for U.S. companies or individuals who participate in IGO-sponsored boycotts of U.S.-friendly nations. The bill reflects concern about international pressure on American businesses to cut ties with allied countries and aims to protect U.S. commercial relationships from foreign political pressure.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

International Affairs

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

867, 119th Congress (2025). "IGO Anti-Boycott Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-867