Bill · S. 1490· Senate(119-S-1490)
GHOST Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 4/10/2025
- Last activity
- 4/10/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Joni Ernst
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill establishes the "Russia Sanctions Enforcement Fund" to pay for expenses related to the seizure and forfeiture of property linked to violations of U.S. sanctions by the Russian Federation or certain merchant ships. The fund is intended to prioritize the seizure of commodities like oil and petroleum products that fund Russian efforts. Additionally, the legislation codifies the Export Enforcement Coordination Center within Homeland Security Investigations. This center will serve as a primary hub for federal government export enforcement and coordination among various agencies. The bill also includes provisions for the management, investment, and reporting of the fund's activities.
Yes
Does this give the federal government more power?+5
The bill expands federal authority over export enforcement and sanctions enforcement through a new coordination center and fund.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?+5
The bill directs excess fund balances and penalties to the Treasury to pay down the public debt.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+3
The bill mandates annual reports to congressional committees regarding the fund's activities and financial health.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Debt Reduction: Any amount in the Fund that exceeds $500,000,000 at the end of a fiscal year will be transferred to the general fund of the Treasury to pay off the public debt of the United States (Section 2(e)(2)).
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Support for Law Enforcement: The fund can be used to pay for investigative costs, equipment, and the salaries or travel expenses of State and local law enforcement officers participating in joint operations (Section 2(c)(1)).
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Incentives for Information: The bill allows for the payment of awards to informers or individuals/organizations that provide assistance or information leading to civil or criminal forfeitures (Section 2(c)(1) and 2(c)(2)).
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Enhanced Export Enforcement: The codification of the Export Enforcement Coordination Center establishes a primary point of contact and a deconfliction center to assist law enforcement agencies in coordinating investigations into export control violations (Section 3(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential Fund Termination: If a report indicates that the Fund has not been used for any seizure or forfeiture activity during the covered fiscal years, the Fund shall be terminated and its remaining amounts transferred to the general fund (Section 2(h)(2)).
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Financial Penalties for Reporting Failures: If the required annual report is not submitted on time, the Administrator must transfer 5 percent of the Fund's amount to the Treasury for the public debt, with additional 5 percent transfers for every 90-day delay (Section 2(h)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+5Improves Government Transparency+3
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces National Debt+5
- 4/10/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut