Skip to main content
H.R. 5917 118th Congress House

Strengthening Tools to Counter the Use of Human Shields Act

Official title: To amend the Sanctioning the Use of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act to modify and extend that Act, and for other purposes.

Introduced: November 21, 2023 See on congress.gov
International Affairs Arab-Israeli relationsConflicts and warsCongressional oversightLebanon
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Middle EastPalestiniansPolitical parties and affiliationPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsSanctionsTerrorismViolent crime
This bill died when the 118th Congress ended
It never became law before the 118th Congress (2023–2024) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 12 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 17, 2024
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Apr 16, 2024
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Apr 16, 2024
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 419 - 4 (Roll no. 128). (text: CR H2416-2417)
Apr 16, 2024
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2432-2433)
Apr 16, 2024
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Apr 16, 2024
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5917.
Apr 16, 2024
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2416-2419)
Apr 16, 2024
Mr. Moran moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Dec 13, 2023
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 43 - 0.
Dec 13, 2023
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Oct 25, 2023
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Armed Services, 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.
Oct 10, 2023
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Apr 16, 2024 House · vote #128 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass Passed 419–4 See who voted →
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Latest action April 17, 2024

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Strengthening Tools to Counter the Use of Human Shields Act

This bill extends the authority of the President to impose sanctions on foreign persons using human shields through 2030 and requires the President to impose such sanctions on each foreign person determined to be a member of Palestine Islamic Jihad and orders, controls, or otherwise directs the use of human shields. Currently, such sanctions are (1) required for users of human shields who are members of Hamas or Hezbollah or supporters of those groups, and (2) authorized for other users of human shields.

The President must also determine if a person named in certain congressional requests meets the criteria for such sanctions and report on whether the President intends to impose sanctions on that person.

Additionally, the Department of Defense must report to Congress on the implications of the use of human shields by Hamas, Hezbollah, and Palestine Islamic Jihad.

 Related & companion bills 3
 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 36
R
Wagner, Ann
Missouri · Apr 5, 2024
R
Kean, Thomas H.
New Jersey · Jan 11, 2024
R
Lawler, Michael
New York · Dec 11, 2023
D'Esposito, Anthony
· Dec 1, 2023
R
Higgins, Clay
Louisiana · Dec 1, 2023
R
Bergman, Jack
Michigan · Nov 21, 2023
Kilmer, Derek
· Nov 21, 2023
R
LaHood, Darin
Illinois · Nov 21, 2023
D
Moulton, Seth
Massachusetts · Nov 21, 2023
R
Steube, W. Gregory
Florida · Nov 21, 2023
R
Van Orden, Derrick
Wisconsin · Nov 21, 2023
R
Ciscomani, Juan
Arizona · Nov 14, 2023
R
Guest, Michael
Mississippi · Nov 14, 2023
R
McCaul, Michael T.
Texas · Nov 14, 2023
D
Stevens, Haley M.
Michigan · Nov 14, 2023
R
Crenshaw, Dan
Texas · Nov 8, 2023
R
Ellzey, Jake
Texas · Nov 8, 2023
R
Miller, Carol D.
West Virginia · Nov 8, 2023
Peltola, Mary
· Nov 8, 2023
D
Scholten, Hillary J.
Michigan · Nov 8, 2023
R
Tenney, Claudia
New York · Nov 8, 2023
R
Moolenaar, John R.
Michigan · Oct 19, 2023
R
Bacon, Don
Nebraska · Oct 17, 2023
D
Davis, Donald G.
North Carolina · Oct 17, 2023
R
Donalds, Byron
Florida · Oct 17, 2023
R
Fitzpatrick, Brian K.
Pennsylvania · Oct 17, 2023
D
Gottheimer, Josh
New Jersey · Oct 17, 2023
D
Moskowitz, Jared
Florida · Oct 17, 2023
R
Norman, Ralph
South Carolina · Oct 17, 2023
Posey, Bill
· Oct 17, 2023
R
Yakym, Rudy
Indiana · Oct 17, 2023
D
Swalwell, Eric
California · Oct 13, 2023
R
Stefanik, Elise M.
New York · Oct 12, 2023
R
Waltz, Michael
Florida · Oct 12, 2023
R
Kiggans, Jennifer A.
Virginia · Oct 11, 2023
D
Sherman, Brad
California · Oct 10, 2023
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5917: Strengthening Tools to Counter the Use of Human Shields Act. 118th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-5917/
MLA
"H.R. 5917: Strengthening Tools to Counter the Use of Human Shields Act." 118th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-5917/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5917, 118th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-5917/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5917: Strengthening Tools to Counter the Use of Human Shields Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-5917/)
Report a problem