Title 50 — War and National DefenseRelease 119-73not60
§3171 Stay of Sanctions
Title 50 › Chapter 44— NATIONAL SECURITY › Subchapter VII— APPLICATION OF SANCTIONS LAWS TO INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES › § 3171
Summary
The President may pause United States economic, cultural, diplomatic, or other sanctions against a foreign country, group, or person despite other laws. The President must tell Congress that going ahead now would risk exposing a related criminal investigation or an intelligence source. The pause can last up to 120 days.
Full Legal Text
Title 50, §3171
War and National Defense — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Notwithstanding any provision of law identified in section 3174 of this title, the President may stay the imposition of an economic, cultural, diplomatic, or other sanction or related action by the United States Government concerning a foreign country, organization, or person when the President determines and reports to Congress in accordance with section 3173 of this title that to proceed without delay would seriously risk the compromise of an ongoing criminal investigation directly related to the activities giving rise to the sanction or an intelligence source or method directly related to the activities giving rise to the sanction. Any such stay shall be effective for a period of time specified by the President, which period may not exceed 120 days, unless such period is extended in accordance with section 3172 of this title.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Codification Section was formerly classified to section 441 of this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
50 U.S.C. § 3171
Title 50 — War and National Defense
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60