The U.S. House of Representatives on March 19 voted 365-30 to approve a bipartisan bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO) that would impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on foreign persons involved in actions that threaten the peace, stability, or democracy of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The bill advanced to the U.S. Senate for action.
“I appreciate the strong support of my colleagues today, and I hope the Senate takes swift action so the tens of thousands of Bosnians in the St. Louis region know we have their backs and support a safe, unified, and sovereign Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Rep. Wagner said on Tuesday.
The Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act, H.R. 4723, which the congresswoman introduced in July 2023 alongside original cosponsors including U.S. Reps. Mike Turner (R-OH) and Susan Wild (D-PA), dictates that the president must impose sanctions on certain foreign persons, including those that are responsible for or engaged in corruption or certain acts or policies that also undermine democratic processes or institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, or undermine the Dayton Peace Agreement or certain authorities related to the agreement.
If enacted, H.R. 4723 also would allow the U.S. Department of the Treasury to impose certain prohibitions and restrictions on a foreign financial institution that knowingly conducts or facilitates a significant transaction for a foreign person subject to sanctions under this bill, according to the congressional record bill summary.
“The Dayton Accords are a symbol of American leadership and commitment. If we let them collapse, then we risk seeing violence return to Bosnia,” said Rep. Wagner. “Adversaries like Russia and China would welcome these upheavals and solidify a stronger economic and security foothold.”
The Senate received H.R. 4723 on Wednesday and referred it for consideration to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.