Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act

Senate Bill

S. 389

119th Congress

Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 133.

Introduced:Sep 30, 2025

Primary Sponsor

John Thune

Senator

Republican

SD

Cosponsors

2

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Law

Summary

This bill would allow people in the United States to sue foreign countries in court for harm or death caused by the trafficking of the drug fentanyl. Typically, foreign countries are immune from lawsuits in U.S. courts, but this bill would create an exception for fentanyl-related incidents.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (CR S323-324)

SponsorJohn Thune (R-SD)

Introduced9/30/2025

StatusPlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 133.

ChamberSenate

Data from Congress.gov

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Vote Prediction

Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act

This bill would allow people in the United States to sue foreign countries in court for harm or death caused by the trafficking of the drug fentanyl. Typically, foreign countries are immune from lawsuits in U.S. courts, but this bill would create an exception

Community Breakdown

Pass

0%

Fail

0%

0 predictions

This bill would allow people in the United States to sue foreign countries in court for harm or death caused by the trafficking of the drug fentanyl. Typically, foreign countries are immune from lawsuits in U.S. courts, but this bill would create an exception for fentanyl-related incidents.

Bill Number: 389
Sponsor: John Thune (R-SD)
Introduced: 9/30/2025
Status: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 133.
Policy Area: Law

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act
Bill Number: 389
Sponsor: John Thune (R-SD)
Status: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 133.
Introduced: 9/30/2025
Summary: This bill would allow people in the United States to sue foreign countries in court for harm or death caused by the trafficking of the drug fentanyl. Typically, foreign countries are immune from lawsuits in U.S. courts, but this bill would create an exception for fentanyl-related incidents.

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill would allow people in the United States to sue foreign countries in court for harm or death caused by the trafficking of the drug fentanyl. Typically, foreign countries are immune from lawsuits in U.S. courts, but this bill would create an exception for fentanyl-related incidents.

Last updated: 12/29/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Justice Against Sponsors of Illicit Fentanyl Act of 2023 This bill allows foreign states to be sued in a U.S. court for physical injury to a person or property or death occurring in the United States as a result of fentanyl trafficking. (Typically, a foreign state is immune from lawsuits filed against it in a U.S. court.) Specifically, a foreign state is not immune from a lawsuit seeking damages for (1) an act of fentanyl trafficking in or into the United States, or (2) a tortious act or acts regardless where the tortious act or acts occurred. If the United States is in discussions with a foreign state that is seeking to resolve claims related to fentanyl trafficking or tortious acts, the Department of Justice may intervene and seek a stay in a case filed under this bill involving the foreign state.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Allows lawsuits against foreign countries for fentanyl trafficking that causes injury or death in the U.S.
Removes the foreign country's typical immunity from lawsuits in U.S. courts for fentanyl-related incidents
Allows the Department of Justice to intervene in cases involving foreign countries seeking to resolve fentanyl claims

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

If this bill becomes law, individuals in the U.S. who have been impacted by fentanyl trafficking, either through personal injury or the loss of a loved one, would be able to sue the foreign countries responsible in U.S. courts. This could provide a way for them to seek accountability and compensation. However, the legal process could be complex, and the bill's impact would depend on how it is implemented and interpreted by the courts.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Law

Related Subjects

Civil actions and liability

Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad

Drug trafficking and controlled substances

Judicial procedure and administration

Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

389, 119th Congress (2025). "Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-389