PRIA Logo™
119-s-1490119th Congress

GHOST Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Ernst, Joni [R-IA]

Introduced

Summary

Would create a Treasury-managed Russia Sanctions Enforcement Fund to pay costs tied to seizures and forfeitures related to Russian sanctions. It would also codify an Export Enforcement Coordination Center inside Homeland Security Investigations to centralize export-control enforcement across federal agencies.

Show full summary
  • Federal, state, and local law enforcement would be able to draw from the Fund for investigative costs, detention and property handling, contractor services, reimbursements, informant payments, overtime, travel, training, and equipment, improving resources for joint operations.
  • Exporters and export-control teams would face a more centralized enforcement hub that coordinates the Department of Commerce, Treasury, State, Defense, Justice, DHS, intelligence agencies, and others for information sharing, deconfliction, targeting, and public outreach.
  • The Fund would be seeded with $150 million for fiscal year 2026, carry a $500 million year-end cap that triggers transfers to the Treasury if exceeded, and require repayment of an amount equal to the initial $150 million by 2036.

*Would authorize $150 million initially and set repayment and transfer rules, so the net effect on the federal budget would depend on seizures, forfeitures, and transfers under the Fund.*

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

New Russia sanctions enforcement fund

If enacted, the bill would create a Russia Sanctions Enforcement Fund in the Treasury. The government would provide $150 million for fiscal year 2026. The Secretary of Homeland Security would appoint an Administrator within 15 days. The fund could pay for seizures, forfeitures, investigations, detention, property management, contractors, informant payments, equipment, and awards. The fund would prioritize seizures of oil, petroleum, and related commodities. The Administrator must repay $150 million (CPI-adjusted) to the Treasury by September 30, 2036. Each year, any balance above $500 million (adjusted for inflation) would be sent to the Treasury general fund. The fund must report to Congress annually through September 1, 2036, and late reporting can trigger 5% penalty transfers. The fund could be terminated if reports show no use, unless the President waives termination for national security.

New export enforcement coordination center

If enacted, DHS would run an Export Enforcement Coordination Center inside Homeland Security Investigations. The center would have a senior director and two full-time deputy directors from Commerce and Justice. Intelligence and agency liaisons would be detailed to the center. The center would share export-control information, deconflict investigations, coordinate licensing and outreach, and build tracking tools. Exporting businesses may face more coordinated enforcement and oversight.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Ernst, Joni [R-IA]

IA • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 4/10/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation