Sanction Sea Pirates Act of 2025

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1998) to require the imposition of sanctions with respect to foreign persons engaged in piracy, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1998, the Sanction Sea Pirates Act, introduced by my dear friend Representative Jackson.

This legislation is a strong statement of intent that Congress will not tolerate the sea piracy which threatens trade across the globe. By modern standards, sea piracy may seem like an age-old problem, but the reality is it is very brutal. Sea piracy is a violent crime that endangers the lives of merchant sailors, disrupts global trade, and can cause massive economic losses.

America has long stood strong against sea piracy. However, in recent years, piracy has been on the rise, Mr. Speaker. Pirates, often based out of Somalia, have taken advantage of disruptions created by Houthi aggression in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The result has been a disturbing spike in pirate attacks in the waters surrounding the Horn of Africa.

This bill uses economic power to support ongoing military efforts by the U.S. and its partners to combat piracy and safeguard trade in this vital strategic waterway. The bill imposes full financial and visa sanctions against any foreign person who engages in piracy.

By leveraging the economic power of the United States to supplement the work of our Armed Forces, we can help end sea piracy and ensure the safety of our merchant sailors. I support this legislation and reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives,

Committee on the Judiciary,

Washington, DC, June 16, 2025.

Hon. Brian Mast,

Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,

House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Mast: I write regarding H.R. 1998, the

Sanction Sea Pirates Act of 2025. Provisions of this bill

fall within the Judiciary Committee's Rule X jurisdiction,

and I appreciate that you consulted with us on those

provisions. The Judiciary Committee agrees that it shall be

discharged from further consideration of the bill so that it

may proceed expeditiously to the House floor.

The Committee takes this action with the understanding that

forgoing further consideration of this measure does not in

any way alter the Committee's jurisdiction or waive any

future jurisdictional claim over these provisions or their

subject matter. We also reserve the right to seek appointment

of an appropriate number of conferees in the event of a

conference with the Senate involving this measure or similar

legislation.

I ask that you please insert this letter in the

Congressional Record during consideration of H.R. 1998 on the

House floor. I appreciate the cooperative manner in which our

committees have worked on this matter, and I look forward to

working collaboratively in the future on matters of shared

jurisdiction. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Jim Jordan,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the body to pass the Sanction Sea Pirates Act and send an unmistakable message: The United States of America stands firmly against sea piracy and is committed to ensuring freedom of navigation against crime in the high seas. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support my bill, H.R. 1998, Sanction Sea Pirates Act. Over the last few years, we have seen and also been reminded how fragile global supply chains can be and how the closing of narrow physical chokepoints can lead to shortages and inflation. More than 30 percent of global container trade passes through the Red Sea. If these waters cannot be navigated because of pirates and terrorism, Americans will continue to feel the costs here at home.

Unfortunately, we are now seeing exactly what we are trying to prevent. Ships traversing the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden now face two major threats--and more mounting--from the Houthis, who continue to perpetrate piracy on the high seas, and from Somalian pirates, who are plundering and pillaging at rates unseen in a decade.

My bill imposes sanctions on any pirates around the world, blocking assets in or associated with the United States and denying them entry into our country. As an international leader in trade and security, the United States must seek to stop piracy around the world. This is America at its finest trying to help facilitate global trade. We must secure global waterways for the safety of ships, crew members, and critical ship-dependent supply chains.

Mr. Speaker, my bill is also a necessary step to ensure the development of African economies and generate greater prosperity through stability in Somalia. No country can be expected to grow and prosper while facing serious piracy threats. We cannot allow violent criminals and terrorists to continue stunting the economic development of Somalia and the surrounding region.

Beyond direct threats to the United States and Somalia, piracy is often linked to terrorism and crime. This bill reaffirms the United States' position as a global economic and security leader, and I thank my colleagues for helping to move this bill through the House. We strongly believe that this is a necessary step toward greater stability and safety for both the United States and East Africa. Attacks on maritime shipping endanger innocent lives, raise the cost of goods, and destabilize local communities in Yemen and the Horn of Africa.

For American national and economic security, we must pass this legislation and crack down on global piracy. I encourage all of my colleagues to join in supporting this legislation, and reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, to advance global security and economic prosperity, the United States must seek to stop piracy around the world.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I was absent from the floor and the roll call votes today.

Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 172, the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 1998; YEA on Roll Call No. 173, the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 3394; and YEA on Roll Call No. 174, the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 3422.

Mr. Speaker, I was necessarily absent and missed three votes on the House Floor today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 172, H.R. 1998; YEA on Roll Call No. 173, H.R. 3394; and YEA on Roll Call No. 174, H.R. 3422.