# 117-s-4240: Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act

117-s-4240, Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act, is a 117th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] (R-IA); status became_law (as of 2026-01-05).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-s-4240
- As of: 2026-01-05
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 117-s-4240
- Congress: 117
- Title: Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act
- Status: became_law
- Introduced: 2022-05-18
- Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] (R-IA)
- Cosponsors: 7
- Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-01-05

## Summary

**Expands federal jurisdiction over war crimes.** It lets the United States prosecute certain war crimes that occur in the U.S. or involve U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, members of the U.S. Armed Forces, or offenders present in the U.S. The law also removes some time limits on indictments and creates strict Justice Department approval rules for bringing cases. - Victims and families: Victims gain access to U.S. prosecution when an offense happens in the U.S. or involves U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, or U.S. servicemembers, or when the alleged offender is in the United States. - Servicemembers and U.S. nationals: DOJ must consider potential adverse consequences for U.S. nationals, servicemembers, or employees when deciding to prosecute, and the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State may offer views to the Attorney General. - Prosecutors: The Justice Department must use written certification from top officials before prosecuting, some cases require sign-off specifically by the Attorney General or Deputy Attorney General, and those certifications cannot be delegated or reviewed by courts. - Timing for prosecutions: For certain specified war crimes there is no time limit on bringing an indictment. - International courts: The law clarifies it is not support for U.S. ratification of the International Criminal Court and does not consent to foreign or international court jurisdiction.

## Cosponsors (7)

- Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] (D-IL), 2022-05-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC] (R-SC), 2022-05-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] (D-VT), 2022-05-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Blunt, Roy [R-MO] (R-MO), 2022-07-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE] (D-DE), 2022-09-19T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH] (D-NH), 2022-11-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC] (R-NC), 2022-11-14T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- U.S. can prosecute more war crimes: benefit, low. The United States can prosecute these war crimes if any part happens in the U.S. It can also prosecute when the victim or offender is a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or a U.S. service member. Cases can also proceed when the offender is present in the United States. For certain listed w…
- No consent to international court power: mixed, low. This law does not support joining the International Criminal Court. It does not give international, hybrid, or foreign courts any jurisdiction under this section. It only clarifies the U.S. position.
- Top officials must approve war crime cases: mixed, low. Federal prosecutors need a written signoff stating a U.S. case is in the public interest and needed to secure substantial justice. The Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General, or an Assistant Attorney General must sign, and this approval cannot be delegated. If the only basis is that the offender…

## Related bills

- 117-sres-748: A resolution honoring and celebrating the life and legacy of Representative Jackie Walorski.
- 117-sres-706: A resolution remembering former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe.
- 117-sres-621: A resolution honoring the life and legacy of the late Senator Orrin G. Hatch.
- 117-sres-593: A resolution relating to the death of Kaneaster Hodges, Jr., former United States Senator for the State of Arkansas.
- 117-sres-565: A resolution honoring and celebrating the life and legacy of Representative Don Young.
- 117-sres-485: A resolution relating to the death of the Honorable Harry Mason Reid, Jr., former Senator for the State of Nevada.

## Sources
- [117-s-4240 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/4240)

## Related
- [117-sres-748: A resolution honoring and celebrating the life and legacy of Representative Jac…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-sres-748)
- [117-sres-706: A resolution remembering former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe.](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-sres-706)
- [117-sres-621: A resolution honoring the life and legacy of the late Senator Orrin G. Hatch.](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-sres-621)
- [117-sres-593: A resolution relating to the death of Kaneaster Hodges, Jr., former United Stat…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-sres-593)
- [117-sres-565: A resolution honoring and celebrating the life and legacy of Representative Don…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-sres-565)
- [117-sres-485: A resolution relating to the death of the Honorable Harry Mason Reid, Jr., form…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-sres-485)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-s-4240 (as of 2026-01-05).