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119-hr-3201119th Congress

Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would rename and reauthorize the Belarus Democracy Act as the Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2025 and make strengthening Belarusian democracy and sovereignty a central goal. It would expand U.S. tools to support civil society, widen sanctions tied to Belarus’s cooperation with Russia, and require stronger reporting and funding baselines.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Intelligence report on Belarus-Russia ties

This bill would require the Director of National Intelligence to give Congress a report within 90 days of enactment. The report would assess Russian forces (including any nuclear presence) in Belarus, Wagner and other paramilitary activity, who is responsible for abducting Ukrainian children (and any organizational involvement), weapons buys from Russia or Iran and CAATSA implications, sanctions evasion and dual-use goods, and use of migrants to pressure NATO borders. The report must be unclassified but may include a classified annex.

More aid and oversight for Belarus

This bill would add goals to stop Belarus from aiding Russia's war and to halt child abductions. It would authorize US assistance for Belarusian civil society, independent media and broadcasters, internet freedom tools, legal and democratic institutions, small businesses (especially IT), and refugees and students in exile. The bill would require reports to include the methods and benchmarks used to measure program effectiveness. It would also require that FY2026 funding be at least the FY2025 level and FY2027 funding be at least the FY2026 level for these programs.

New blocking sanctions and definitions

This bill would require the President to impose blocking sanctions on Belarusian actors who rig elections, persecute dissidents, aid Russian military actions, or help abduct Ukrainian children. It would allow sanctions for senior leaders, their families, and people who profit from those leaders. The bill would exempt food, medicine, and humanitarian aid and allow case-by-case waivers up to 180 days with 15 days' notice to Congress. It would also add definitions agencies must use, including calling Lukashenka 'led illegally' and defining the "Union State" of Russia and Belarus.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]

NJ • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 5/5/2025

  • Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 5/5/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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