H.R. 4278 — Introduced in House

I 113th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4278 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 21, 2014 Mr. Royce (for himself and Mr. Engel) 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 support the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and for other purposes. 1. Short title and table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Ukraine Support Act. (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents. Sec. 2. United States policy. Title I—Assistance provisions Sec. 101. Support for democratic governance and civil society in Ukraine. Sec. 102. Economic reform in Ukraine. Sec. 103. United States international programming to Ukraine and neighboring regions. Sec. 104. Overseas Private Investment Corporation. Sec. 105. Enhanced assistance for law enforcement in Ukraine. Sec. 106. Enhanced security cooperation among Central and Eastern European NATO member states. Sec. 107. United States-Ukraine security assistance. Sec. 108. Recovery of assets linked to corruption in Ukraine. Sec. 109. European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Title II—Sanctions provisions Sec. 201. Continuation in effect of sanctions with respect to the blocking of certain persons contributing to the situation in Ukraine. Sec. 202. Imposition of additional sanctions on persons responsible for violence or who undermine the independence, sovereignty, or territorial or economic integrity of Ukraine. Sec. 203. Report on certain foreign financial institutions. Sec. 204. Amendment to the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act. Sec. 205. Sense of Congress on human rights in the Russian Federation. Sec. 206. Certification described and submission to Congress. Sec. 207. Appropriate congressional committees defined. 2. United States policy It is the policy of the United States— (1) to support the right of the people of Ukraine to freely determine their future, including their country’s relationship with other nations and international organizations, without interference, intimidation, or coercion by other countries; (2) to support the people of Ukraine in their desire to address endemic corruption, consolidate democracy, and achieve sustained prosperity; (3) to support the efforts of the Government of Ukraine to bring to justice those responsible for the acts of violence against peaceful protestors and other unprovoked acts of violence related to the anti-government protests that began on November 21, 2013; (4) to support the efforts of the Government of Ukraine to recover and return to the Ukrainian state funds stolen by former President Yanukovych, his family, and other current and former members of the Ukrainian government, along with others legitimately charged by government authorities with similar offenses; (5) to assist the Government of Ukraine in preparations for the presidential election scheduled for May 25, 2014, and to participate in efforts to ensure that this election is conducted in accordance with international standards; (6) to promote democratic values, transparent and accountable government institutions, and advance United States national security interests through United States international broadcasting, including the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Incorporated; (7) to support needed economic structural reforms in Ukraine, including in the fiscal, energy, pension, and banking sectors, among others; (8) to support energy diversification initiatives to reduce Russian control of energy supplies to Ukraine and other European countries, including United States promotion of increased natural gas exports and energy efficiency; (9) to condemn the armed intervention of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, including its continuing political, economic, and military aggression against that country; (10) to work with United States allies and partners in Europe and around the world, including at the United Nations, to ensure that all nations refuse to recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and reaffirm the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine; (11) to refuse to recognize the legitimacy of the illegal referendum in Crimea on March 16, 2014, on the status of that region of Ukraine, which was held under conditions of occupation and coercion by Russian forces; (12) to support the deployment of international monitors to Ukraine to assess the current status of its territorial integrity and the safety of all people in Ukraine; (13) to encourage the Government of Ukraine to continue to respect and protect the rights of all ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities; (14) to call on all Ukrainians to respect the legitimate government authorities, as well as all Ukrainian laws and the Constitution of Ukraine in all regions of Ukraine, including Crimea; and (15) to honor and abide by its commitments undertaken pursuant to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, signed at Washington, District of Columbia, on April 4, 1949, and entered into force on August 24, 1949. I Assistance provisions 101. Support for democratic governance and civil society in Ukraine (a) In general The President is authorized and encouraged to provide assistance to support democracy and civil society in Ukraine by undertaking the activities described in subsection (b). (b) Activities described The activities described in this subsection are— (1) improving democratic governance, transparency, accountability, rule of law, and anti-corruption efforts; (2) supporting Ukrainian efforts to foster greater unity among people and regions of the country, combat anti-Semitism and promote respect for religious freedom; (3) supporting the people and Government of Ukraine in preparing to conduct and participate in free and fair elections, including through domestic and international election monitoring; (4) assisting Ukraine in diversifying its economy, trade, and energy supplies, including at the national, regional, and local levels; (5) strengthening democratic institutions and political and civil society organizations; and (6) expanding free and unfettered access to independent media of all kinds in Ukraine and assisting with the protection of journalists and civil society activists who have been targeted for free speech activities. (c) Availability of funds Of amounts made available to carry out the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.) for fiscal year 2014, $50,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section. 102. Economic reform in Ukraine (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The Ukrainian economy is weak and vulnerable, as evidenced by short-term debt interest rates as high as 15 percent, a high proportion of foreign exchange-denominated government debt that will mature in 2014 and 2015, a banking sector with non-performing loans at the high level of 14 percent, a financing gap which the Government of Ukraine has estimated will amount to $35 billion over the next two years, and a large underground economy. This economic condition undermines democratic prospects in Ukraine. (2) Years of poor economic management and performance have undermined and may continue to undermine political stability and unity within Ukraine. (3) On March 6, 2014, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4152, to redirect previously appropriated funds to cover the cost of roughly $1 billion in loan guarantees for Ukraine. (b) Statement of policy It shall be the policy of the United States to work with other countries and international institutions to stabilize the Ukrainian economy, while promoting critically needed structural economic reforms in Ukraine, including— (1) cutting the massive natural gas subsidies that have led to market inefficiencies; (2) reducing the bloated public sector; (3) maintaining a market-determined exchange rate; (4) strengthening the vulnerable banking sector; and (5) reducing corruption. (c) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that loan guarantees provided by the United States for Ukraine should be used to promote government, banking and energy sector reform, and anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine. 103. United States international programming to Ukraine and neighboring regions (a) Findings and declarations Congress finds and declares the following: (1) The Russian Government has deliberately blocked the Ukrainian people’s access to uncensored sources of information and has provided alternative news and information that is both inaccurate and inflammatory. (2) United States international programming exists to advance the United States interests and values by presenting accurate and comprehensive news and information, which is the foundation for democratic governance. (3) The opinions and views of the Ukrainian people, especially those people located in the eastern regions and Crimea, are not being accurately represented in Russian dominated mass media. (4) Russian forces have seized more than five television stations in Crimea and taken over transmissions, switching to a 24/7 Russian propaganda format; this increase in programming augments the already robust pro-Russian programming to Ukraine. (5) United States international programming has the potential to combat this anti-democratic propaganda. (b) Programming Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Incorporated, and the Voice of America service to Ukraine and neighboring regions shall— (1) provide news and information that is accessible, credible, and accurate; (2) emphasize investigative and analytical journalism to highlight inconsistencies and misinformation provided by Russian or pro-Russian media outlets; (3) prioritize programming to areas where access to uncensored sources of information is limited or non-existent, especially populations serviced by Russian supported media outlets; (4) increase the number of reporters and organizational presence in eastern Ukraine, especially in Crimea; (5) promote democratic processes, respect for human rights, freedom of the press, and territorial sovereignty; and (6) take necessary preparatory steps to continue and increase programming and content services to Russia. (c) Programming surge RFE/RL, Incorporated, and Voice of America programming to Ukraine and neighboring regions shall— (1) prioritize programming to eastern Ukraine, including Crimea, and to ethnic and linguistic Russian populations, as well as Tatar minorities; (2) prioritize news and information that directly contributes to the target audiences’ understanding of political and economic developments in Ukraine, including countering misinformation that may originate from other news outlets, especially Russian supported news outlets; (3) provide programming content 24 hours a day, seven days a week to target populations, using all available and effective distribution outlets, including— (A) at least 8 weekly hours of total original television and video content in Ukrainian, Russian, and Tatar languages, not inclusive of live video streaming coverage of breaking news, to be distributed on satellite, digital, and through regional television affiliates by the Voice of America; and (B) at least 14 weekly hours the total audio content in Ukrainian, Russian, and Tatar languages to be distributed on satellite, digital, and through regional radio affiliates of RFE/RL, Incorporated; (4) expand the use, audience, and audience engagement of mobile news and multimedia platforms by RFE/RL, Incorporated, and the Voice of America, including through Internet-based social networking platforms; and (5) partner with private sector broadcasters and affiliates to seek and start co-production for new, original content, when possible, to increase distribution. (d) Authorization of appropriations (1) In general There is authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2014, in addition to funds otherwise made available for such purposes, up to $10,000,000 to carry out programming in the Ukrainian, Balkan, Russian, and Tatar language services of RFE/RL, Incorporated, and the Voice of America, for the purpose of bolstering existing United States programming to the people of Ukraine and neighboring regions, and increasing programming capacity and jamming circumvention technology to overcome any disruptions to service. (2) Offset Section 102(a) of the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009 (22 U.S.C. 8412(a); Public Law 111–73; 123 Stat. 2068) is amended by striking $1,500,000,000 and inserting $1,490,000,000. (e) Report Not later than 15 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Broadcasting Board of Governors shall submit to the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Foreign Relations and Appropriations of the Senate a detailed report on plans to increase broadcasts pursuant to subsections (a) and (b). 104. Overseas Private Investment Corporation It is the sense of Congress that the Overseas Private Investment Corporation should prioritize investments in Ukraine. 105. Enhanced assistance for law enforcement in Ukraine (a) Statement of policy It shall be the policy of the United States to assist Ukraine to eliminate the human rights abuses associated with the Berkut forces in order to foster a democratically reformed police force with strong public oversight, which is critical to fostering political unity and stability throughout Ukraine. (b) Availability of funds Of amounts made available to carry out section 1207 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (22 U.S.C. 2151 note) for fiscal year 2014, $8,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated to enhance United States efforts to assist Ukraine to strengthen law enforcement capabilities and maintain the rule of law. (c) Notification requirement The congressional notification requirements contained in section 1207(l) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (22 U.S.C. 2151 note) shall apply to the initiation of activities under a program of assistance under subsection (b) to the same extent and in the same manner as such congressional notification requirements apply to the initiation of activities under a program of assistance section 1207(b) of such Act. 106. Enhanced security cooperation among Central and Eastern European NATO member states (a) In general The Secretary of State, in consultation with the heads of appropriate United States departments and agencies, shall seek to provide enhanced security cooperation with Central and Eastern European North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states by undertaking the activities described in subsection (b). (b) Activities described The activities described in this subsection are— (1) enhancing existing security cooperation, including defense and military-to-military cooperation, among Central and Eastern European NATO member states; (2) enhancing security relationships among the United States, the European Union, and Central and Eastern European NATO member states; (3) providing defense articles, defense services, and military training to Central and Eastern European NATO member states; (4) expanding the scope and frequency of military exercises among Central and Eastern European NATO member states; and (5) supporting greater reform, professionalism, and capacity-building efforts within the military, intelligence, and security services in Central and Eastern European NATO member states. 107. United States-Ukraine security assistance (a) Findings Congress finds that— (1) in fiscal year 2013 the United States provided Ukraine with nearly $2,000,000 in assistance under chapter 5 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2347 et seq.; relating to International Military Education Training) and nearly $7,000,000 in assistance under section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2763; relating to the Foreign Military Financing Program); and (2) Ukraine has been a longstanding member of NATO’s Partnership for Peace. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) United States assistance to Ukraine under chapter 5 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act should continue; (2) consistent with section 506(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2318(a)), the President is encouraged to draw down defense articles from the stocks of the Department of Defense, in order to provide non-lethal assistance, which could include communication equipment, clothing, fuel and other forms of appropriate assistance, to the Government of Ukraine; and (3) the Administration should expeditiously conclude its current review of all security assistance to the Government of Ukraine. 108. Recovery of assets linked to corruption in Ukraine It is the sense of Congress that the Administration should provide expedited assistance to the Government of Ukraine to identify, investigate, secure, and recover assets stolen from the Government of Ukraine or linked to acts of corruption by former President Viktor Yanukovych, members of his family, and other former or current Ukrainian government officials, and their accomplices in any jurisdiction through appropriate United States Government and multilateral programs, including the Department of Justice’s Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative, the Egmont Group, the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative, the Camden Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network, and the Asset Recovery Focal Point Initiative. 109. European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (a) Findings The Congress finds the following: (1) Article 1 of the Agreement Establishing the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) states that the EBRD should support investments in countries that are committed to and applying the principles of multiparty democracy, pluralism, and market economics, and the EBRD has recognized that Russian progress in the application of these principles … has been uneven. (2) Russia received 21 percent of the investments made by the EBRD in 2013, which is more than any other country received from the EBRD in that year, and has received an inordinate ratio of investment from the EBRD since the 2006 Capital Resources Review. (b) Sense of the Congress It is the sense of the Congress that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) should increase investments in Ukraine and cease new investments in the Russian Federation, and the United States Government should press the EBRD to support new investment in Ukraine and halt consideration of new investment in Russia. II Sanctions provisions 201. Continuation in effect of sanctions with respect to the blocking of certain persons contributing to the situation in Ukraine (a) In general United States sanctions described in subsection (b), as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, shall remain in effect until the earlier of— (1) the date that is 90 days after the date on which the President submits to the appropriate congressional committees the certification described in subsection (a) of section 206 in accordance with subsection (b) of such section; or (2) the date that is 30 days after any date subsequent to January 1, 2020, on which the President submits to the appropriate congressional committees in writing a determination that the termination of such sanctions imposed is in the vital national security interests of the United States. (b) Sanctions described United States sanctions described in this subsection are sanctions imposed under the following executive orders: (1) Executive Order 13660 (March 6, 2014; relating to blocking property of certain persons contributing to the situation in Ukraine). (2) Executive Order 13661 (March 16, 2014; relating to blocking property of additional persons contributing to the situation in Ukraine). (3) Executive Order 13662 (March 20, 2014; relating to blocking property of additional persons contributing to the situation in Ukraine). 202. Imposition of additional sanctions on persons responsible for violence or who undermine the independence, sovereignty, or territorial or economic integrity of Ukraine (a) Statement of policy It shall be the policy of the United States to impose sanctions with respect to those individuals within and outside of the Government of the Russian Federation whom the President determines wields significant influence over the formation and implementation of Russian foreign policy, in particular with respect to the violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty, democracy, and territorial integrity. (b) Criteria for imposition of sanctions A foreign person or an alien is subject to sanctions under subsection (c) in accordance with the provisions of such subsection if the foreign person or alien, on or after November 21, 2013— (1) is knowingly responsible for or complicit in, or engaged in, directly or indirectly— (A) actions that significantly undermine democratic processes or institutions in Ukraine; (B) actions that significantly threaten the peace, security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of Ukraine; (C) acts of significant corruption in Ukraine, or the seizure or expropriation of significant economic assets from Ukraine, including the expropriation of private or state assets for personal gain, or the facilitation or transfer of the proceeds of such expropriation to foreign jurisdictions; or (D) the commission of serious human rights abuses against citizens of Ukraine or citizens of the Russian Federation; (2) is a current or former senior official of the Government of the Russian Federation who has engaged in any activity described in paragraph (1); (3) operates in the arms or related materiel sector in the Russian Federation that has engaged in any activity described in paragraph (1); (4) is a current or former leader of an entity that has, or whose members have, knowingly engaged in any activity described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) or of an entity whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this section; (5) has knowingly materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, any activity described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) or of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this section; or (6) is owned or controlled by, or has acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this section. (c) Sanctions described (1) In general The sanctions described in this subsection are the following: (A) Asset blocking With respect to a foreign person who the President, acting through the Secretary of the Treasury and in consultation with the Secretary of State (or their designees), determines meets the requirements described in subsection (b), the President, acting through the Secretary of the Treasury and in consultation with the Secretary of State (or their designees), shall to the extent necessary investigate, block during the pendency of an investigation, regulate, direct and compel, nullify, void, prevent or prohibit, any acquisition, holding, withholding, use, transfer, withdrawal, transportation, or exportation of, or dealing in, or exercising any right, power, or privilege with respect to, or transactions involving, any property in which any foreign country or a national thereof has any interest by any person, or with respect to any property, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States 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. (B) Aliens ineligible for visas, admission, or parole (i) Visas, admission, or parole An alien who the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security (or a designee of one of such Secretaries) knows, or has reason to believe, meets any of the criteria described in subsection (b) is— (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.). (ii) Current visas revoked (I) In general The issuing consular officer, the Secretary of State, or the Secretary of Homeland Security (or a designee of one of such Secretaries) shall revoke any visa or other entry documentation issued to an alien who meets any of the criteria described in subsection (b), regardless of when issued. (II) Judicial review Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including section 2241 of title 28, United States Code, or any other habeas corpus provision, and sections 1361 and 1651 of such title, no court shall have jurisdiction to review a revocation decision under this clause, and no court shall have jurisdiction to hear any claim arising from, or any challenge to, such a revocation. (III) Effect of revocation A revocation under subclause (I)— (aa) shall take effect immediately; and (bb) shall automatically cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation that is in the alien’s possession. (2) Penalties A foreign person that violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of paragraph (1)(A) or any regulation, license, or order issued to carry out paragraph (1)(A) shall be subject to the penalties set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency 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. (3) Regulatory authority The President shall, not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, promulgate regulations as necessary for the implementation of this section. (4) Exception to comply with united nations headquarters agreement Sanctions under paragraph (1)(B) shall not apply to an alien if admitting the alien into the United States is necessary to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United States, or other applicable international obligations. (5) Rule of construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the President pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.). (d) Waiver The President may waive the application of sanctions under subsection (c) with respect to a foreign person or alien if the President— (1) determines that such a waiver is vital to the national interest of the United States; and (2) not less than 15 days after the waiver takes effect, submits to the appropriate congressional committees a notice of the waiver and a justification for such waiver. (e) Report (1) Report required (A) In general Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter for a period not to exceed 2 years, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a detailed report with respect to whether senior foreign political figures of the Russian Federation are responsible for engaging in activities described in subsection (b). (B) Form The report required by subparagraph (A) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex. (2) Requests by chairperson and ranking member of appropriate congressional committees (A) In general Not later than 120 days after receiving a written request from the chairperson and ranking member of one of the appropriate congressional committees with respect to whether a senior foreign political figure of the Russian Federation is responsible for engaging in activities described in subsection (b), the President shall submit a response to the chairperson and ranking member of the committee which made the request with respect to the status of the person. (B) Form The President may submit a response required by subparagraph (A) in classified form if the President determines that it is necessary for the national security interests of the United States to do so. (3) Definition In this subsection, the term appropriate congressional committees means— (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives; and (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate. (f) Definitions In this section: (1) Admitted The term admitted has the meaning given such term in section 101(a)(13)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(13)(A)). (2) Alien The term alien has the meaning given such term in section 101(a)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(3)). (3) Financial institution The term financial institution has the meaning given that term in section 5312 of title 31, United States Code. (4) Foreign person The term foreign person means— (A) an individual who is not a United States person or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence into the United States; (B) a corporation, partnership, or other nongovernmental entity which is not a United States person; or (C) any representative, agent or instrumentality of, or an individual working on behalf of a foreign government. (5) Paroled The term paroled means paroled into the United States under section 212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(d)(5)). (6) Senior foreign political figure The term senior foreign political figure means— (A) a current or former— (i) senior official in the executive, legislative, administrative, military, or judicial branches of a foreign government (whether elected or not); (ii) senior official of a major foreign political party; or (iii) senior executive of a foreign-government-owned commercial enterprise; (B) a corporation, business, or other entity that has been formed by, or for the benefit of, any such individual; (C) an immediate family member (including spouses, parents, siblings, children, and a spouse’s parents and siblings) of any such individual; or (D) a person who is widely and publicly known to be a close associate of such individual. (7) United states person The term United States person means— (A) a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States; or (B) an entity organized under the laws of the United States or of any jurisdiction within the United States, including a foreign branch of such an entity. (g) Termination This section and any sanction imposed by this section shall remain in effect until the earlier of— (1) the date that is 90 days after the date on which the President submits to the appropriate congressional committees the certification described in subsection (a) of section 206 in accordance with subsection (b) of such section; or (2) the date that is 30 days after any date subsequent to January 1, 2020, on which the President submits to the appropriate congressional committees in writing a determination that the termination of this section and the sanctions imposed by this section is in the vital national security interests of the United States. 203. Report on certain foreign financial institutions (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) On February 26, 2014, the Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network advised United States financial institutions of their responsibility to take reasonable, risk-based steps regarding the potential suspicious movement of assets related to Viktor Yanukovych departing Kyiv and abdicating his responsibilities and other senior officials resigning from their positions or departing Kyiv. (2) United States financial institutions are required to apply enhanced scrutiny to private banking accounts held by or on behalf of senior foreign political figures and to monitor transactions that could potentially represent misappropriated or diverted state assets, the proceeds of bribery or other illegal payments, or other public corruption proceeds. (3) On March 3, 2014, the Government of Ukraine announced that it had initiated criminal proceedings against a number of former Ukrainian officials or close associates of former Ukrainian officials. (4) On March 5, 2014, the European Union, based on information from Ukraine’s Prosecutor General, issued a Council Regulation requiring the European Union to freeze the funds and economic resources of various former Ukrainian officials and their close associates. (5) The Government of Canada has taken similar action against the same individuals. (6) The measures being taken against these former Ukrainian officials and their close associates increase the risk that they will seek to move their assets in a deceptive fashion. (7) Foreign financial institutions should apply similar, enhanced due-diligence and reporting requirements. (8) The United States has a strong interest in seeing the international financial system protected from illicit financial activity, including money laundering, terrorism and proliferation financing, transnational organized crime, and the misappropriation of state assets, and international sanctions evasion, among others. (9) The Department of the Treasury possesses a range of authorities to insulate the United States financial system from entities or jurisdictions that pose an illicit financing risk. (b) Statement of policy It shall be the policy of the United States to use all of its regulatory and statutory authorities to closely scrutinize all foreign financial institutions, including those in the Russian Federation, that may be complicit in enabling foreign persons and transnational criminal enterprises to evade or otherwise circumvent United States and international sanctions, launder the proceeds of criminal activity, finance acts of terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, or any other illicit activity that presents risks and vulnerabilities to the United States financial system. (c) Report (1) In general Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter for a period not to exceed 2 years, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury shall jointly submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on— (A) foreign financial institutions that are in direct or indirect control of Government of Ukraine state-owned or controlled assets without the knowledge or approval of the Government of Ukraine; (B) foreign financial institutions that may be complicit in illicit financial activity, including money laundering, terrorism and proliferation financing, transnational organized crime, misappropriation of state assets, or otherwise engaged in any activity prohibited under United States law that are— (i) organized under the laws of the Russian Federation; or (ii) owned or controlled by a foreign person described in section 202(b); and (C) foreign financial institutions that are directly or indirectly assisting or otherwise aiding the violation of Ukrainian sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, including, the Crimea. (2) Form The report required to be submitted under this subsection shall be submitted in an unclassified form, to the extent appropriate, but may include a classified annex. 204. Amendment to the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Iran continues its longstanding effort to obtain banned components for its nuclear and missile programs in violation of its obligations under successive United Nations Security Council Resolutions. (2) Russian entities, including Rosoboronexport, have been sanctioned with respect to proliferation activities, particularly sanctions under the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act (Public Law 106–178; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note). (3) The Department of State must expeditiously restore the deterrent effect of the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act by fully applying and enforcing such Act. (b) Amendment Section 2 of the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act (Public Law 106–178; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended by adding at the end the following: (f) Plan To expedite reports and sanctions under this Act Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of the Ukraine Support Act, the President shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations in the Senate, a plan, to include specific timetables, to expedite the implementation of this Act with respect to submission of reports required under subsection (a) and the application of measures to certain foreign persons under section 3. . 205. Sense of Congress on human rights in the Russian Federation It is the sense of Congress that the President should greatly expand the list of 18 Russian officials and others published on April 12, 2013, who were engaged in actions described in section 404 of the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012 (title IV of Public Law 112–208; 22 U.S.C. 5811) regarding the death of Sergei Magnitsky, illegal activity by officials of the Government of the Russian Federation, or violations of human rights and other offenses in Russia. 206. Certification described and submission to Congress (a) In general A certification described in this section is a certification of the President to Congress that Ukrainian sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity is not being violated by the Russian Federation or any other state actor. (b) Submission to congress (1) In general The President shall submit the certification described in subsection (a) to the appropriate congressional committees in writing and shall include a justification for the certification. (2) Form of certification The certification described in subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex. 207. Appropriate congressional committees defined Except as otherwise provided, in this title the term appropriate congressional committees means— (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, the Committee on Ways and Means, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives; and (2) Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate.