HR 5606119th CongressIn Committee

Return to PEACE Act

Introduced: Sep 26, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3] (R-Texas)

Defense & National Security

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Return to PEACE Act would codify existing visa sanctions on members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and officials of the Palestinian Authority (PA) into statute. It preserves the current sanctions denying visas, but adds a structured, case-by-case waiver mechanism that the Secretary of State can use for up to 180-day periods (renewable) after transmitting a specific determination to Congress. The bill sets four criteria that must be met for a waiver to be granted and includes a seven-year sunset, meaning the provisions would terminate seven years after enactment unless renewed. The bill is designed to reinforce U.S. pressure to ensure PLO/PA actions align with certain international priorities and to deter terrorism and incitement.

Key Points

1Codification of visa sanctions: The sanctions denying visas to PLO members and PA officials, previously in effect under the Middle East Peace Facilitation Act, are continued and codified into statute, effective on and after enactment.
2Waiver mechanism: The Secretary of State may grant waivers on a case-by-case basis for up to renewable 180-day periods, but only after transmitting a specific determination to congressional committees.
3Determinations for waivers: Waivers may be granted if the PLO and PA are not:
4Sunset: The sanctions and waiver provisions expire seven years after enactment unless renewed by Congress.
5Short title: The act may be cited as the Return to Palestinian Entities Accountability and Counterterrorism Enforcement Act (Return to PEACE Act).

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- PLO members and Palestinian Authority officials (and their families): Visa-denial sanctions would continue to restrict entry into the United States, potentially limiting travel for diplomacy, business, or personal reasons.Secondary group/area affected- U.S. State Department and related agencies: Must administer and monitor the visa sanctions and evaluate waiver requests, including preparing congressional determinations.- U.S. Congress (committees on the judiciary and foreign affairs): Receives transmission of waiver determinations and plays a role in oversight of the waiver process.Additional impacts- Palestinian international actions: The bill ties waivers to whether the PLO/PA engage with international bodies in ways that align with or contradict UN Security Council resolutions and avoid internationalizing the conflict, potentially influencing PA and PLO strategy in international forums.- Counterterrorism and incitement concerns: By conditioning waivers on reductions in terrorism support and incitement (including in educational materials), the bill emphasizes a linkage between sanctions and internal PA policies.- Diplomacy and peace process: Maintaining visa sanctions could affect diplomacy and trust-building efforts with Palestinian leaders and may influence bilateral or regional peacemaking dynamics.- Legal/implementation considerations: The case-by-case waiver system introduces an administrative process with criteria requiring assessment of complex international actions, incitement, and financing of terrorism, potentially affecting how quickly waivers could be granted or denied.

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