S.Amdt. 6528

This amendment, proposed by Mr. Risch, seeks to add a new section called the Vital Infrastructure Guarding Information and Logistics Act (or the VIGIL Act) to bill S. 4784.

The purpose of this amendment is to give the President the power to impose sanctions on any foreign person who provides material support for, has significant dealings with, or engages in significant transactions involving military, intelligence, or space infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere that threatens the national security of the United States.

Key changes and additions include:

• Types of Sanctions: The President may block assets and interests in property within the U.S. or controlled by U.S. persons, and may deny or revoke visas for foreign aliens.
• Exceptions: Sanctions do not apply to the importation of goods or to aliens whose entry is required for the U.S. to comply with international obligations, such as the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations.
• Waivers and Termination: The President can waive sanctions if it is in the vital national security interest of the U.S., provided a detailed justification is given to congressional committees. Sanctions terminate 30 days after the President certifies that the threatening infrastructure has been verifiably closed and dismantled.
• Reporting Requirements: The Secretary of State must provide an annual report to specific congressional committees regarding the activities, purposes, payments, and withdrawal progress of the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the People's Republic of China concerning military, intelligence, or space infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere.