Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act of 2025
H.R. 2012, the Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act of 2025, would require Congress to review any planned actions by the President that terminate, waive, or significantly alter sanctions on Iran (including licensing actions that meaningfully change U.S. policy). Before the President can take such actions, a detailed report must be submitted to relevant congressional committees and leadership. Depending on whether the action is deemed to significantly alter U.S. policy or not, different committees lead the review, and the action cannot proceed unless Congress passes a joint resolution approving the action (or unless Congress completes its review and does not veto). The bill creates a structured, multi-step process intended to give Congress a formal veto or delay mechanism over major sanctions changes, while allowing routine licensing to proceed without a report. In short, the bill expands congressional oversight and potential blocking power over sanctions relief and major licensing actions related to Iran, slowing or constraining executive branch policymaking in this area unless Congress approves.
Key Points
- 1Pre-action congressional reporting requirement:
- 2- The President must submit a report to appropriate congressional committees and leaders describing the proposed action to terminate sanctions, waive sanctions for a specific person, or take a licensing action that significantly shifts U.S. policy toward Iran.
- 3- The report must explain whether the action is intended to significantly alter U.S. policy toward Iran and, if so, include analysis of the national security impacts and the original policy objectives behind the sanctions.
- 4Scope of sanctions and actions covered:
- 5- Sanctions covered include those in the Iran Sanctions Act, the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act, NDAA section 1245, the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act, the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act, and actions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, plus any other statute or Executive order that imposes Iran sanctions.
- 6- Actions include termination of sanctions, waivers for individuals, and licensing actions that significantly alter U.S. policy toward Iran.
- 7Congressional review timelines:
- 8- If the action does not significantly alter policy, the review window is 30 days with hearings/briefings as appropriate.
- 9- If the action does significantly alter policy, the review window is 60 days (except when the report is submitted during a narrow July 10–September 7 window, which extends the review period).
- 10Blocking mechanism during review:
- 11- During the initial review, the President may not take the action unless Congress passes a joint resolution approving the action.
- 12- If a joint resolution of disapproval passes both chambers, the President must wait 12 days after passage before taking the action; if the President vetoes, an additional 10-day delay applies.
- 13Joint resolutions of approval/disapproval:
- 14- The bill defines specific formats and procedures for joint resolutions of approval or disapproval, including who can introduce them, how they move through the House and Senate, and special floor rules governing debate, discharge petitions, and veto messages.
- 15- It provides rules intended to streamline or expedite consideration but also sets tight timelines and discharge mechanisms to ensure timely action or rejection.
- 16Confidentiality:
- 17- Proprietary information related to individuals can be included in the report only with assurances of confidentiality, unless the person consents in writing.
- 18Rule and committee structure:
- 19- The review spans multiple committees: primarily Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Senate Foreign Relations; House Financial Services; House Foreign Affairs; plus involvement from leadership offices (majority/minority leaders and the Speaker).