Countering Russian and Iranian Aggression Through Targeted and Accountable Sanctions Act of 2026

This Act authorizes and directs the President of the United States to impose sanctions on the Governments of the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and on individuals and entities acting on their behalf, in response to their ongoing aggression, human rights abuses, and proliferation activities. The sanctions shall apply to sectors including defense, energy, finance, and advanced technology, consistent with Article I, Section 8, Clauses 3, 10, and 18, which give Congress the power to regulate foreign commerce, punish offenses against the law of nations, and make all laws necessary and proper to carry out those powers. The President shall, within 180 days of enactment, issue an executive order imposing sanctions on persons designated by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Director of National Intelligence as having engaged in specified activities, including support for terrorism, cyberattacks against U.S. infrastructure, foreign election interference, nuclear weapons proliferation, or military aggression against U.S. allies. Sanctions shall include asset freezes, visa bans, and prohibitions on U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with sanctioned parties. The Act includes humanitarian exceptions to ensure food, medicine, and other essential supplies are not unduly restricted. The Act establishes a de-listing and waiver process. Any individual or entity sanctioned under this Act may petition for review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, which shall have jurisdiction to consider whether the sanction is based on reliable evidence and consistent with due process under the Fifth Amendment. The President may waive sanctions on a case-by-case basis for national security reasons, but must report to Congress within 10 days of any waiver or de-listing. The Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit a joint report to Congress every 90 days detailing the names of sanctioned parties, the progress of the sanctions in modifying the behavior of Russia and Iran, and any unintended humanitarian consequences. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) shall conduct an independent audit every two years to assess the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of the sanctions program. This Act shall remain in force for five years from the date of enactment, after which it shall sunset unless the Congress, by joint resolution, renews it. The authority and funding provided herein are supplemental to existing sanctions authorities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. § 1701 et seq.) and the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (22 U.S.C. § 9401 et seq.). Nothing in this Act shall be interpreted to abrogate any treaty obligation of the United States.