U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) on Feb. 2 proposed legislation that would authorize the President of the United States to impose numerous sanctions on any foreign person or entity that hinders, obstructs, or delays Lebanon’s electoral process.
The congressman cosponsored the Lebanon Election Integrity and Diaspora Voting Protection Act of 2026, H.R. 7311, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) to ensure that members of the eligible Lebanese diaspora are not prevented from voting in Lebanon’s elections.
“Free and fair elections will be essential to paving the way to Lebanon’s long-term stability, sovereignty, and prosperity,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement released on Feb. 5. “That is why the demonstrated obstruction of Lebanon’s electoral process must be met with clear consequences.”
Lebanon’s parliamentary elections have faced interference from Hezbollah, corrupt political elites, and foreign actors who have engaged in intimidation, manipulation of electoral administration, and obstruction of reforms, according to Rep. LaHood and his colleague.
Such actions have also affected the ability of Lebanese citizens living abroad to participate in elections, despite legal provisions allowing diaspora voting. Lebanon’s large global diaspora plays an important civic, political, and economic role, and protecting their voting rights is considered a national security interest of the United States, they said.
Sanctions the president could impose under H.R. 7311 would include blocking and prohibiting all transactions in all property and interests in property of a foreign person found guilty; being ineligible to enter the U.S., obtain a visa, or be granted parole; and having a visa revoked, among others, according to the bill’s text.
“The United States has high expectations for the government of Lebanon, and this administration stands at the ready to play a lasting role in the nation’s progress,” said the lawmakers. “Authorizing the use of sanctions against those who seek to derail or defraud this process is a uniquely strong deterrent, will bolster needed election integrity, and strengthen confidence in the democratic system.
“We must put an end to the paradox that millions of Lebanese citizens around the world have a voice everywhere except Lebanon,” they added.
H.R. 7311 has been referred for consideration to both the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee and the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.