For Immediate Release: Congressman Wesley Hunt Introduces the PARL Act

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Wesley Hunt introduces the Protecting Americans from Russian Litigation Act (PARL ACT).

The PARL Act will protect U.S. businesses and ensure that they are not unfairly punished for complying with U.S. sanctions and export controls. Currently, Russia is pursuing spurious legal action against American companies that have ceased to continue business with Russian entities due to their compliance with U.S. sanctions and export controls.

The United States has no provision that would protect U.S. companies from this type of lawsuit. This legislation closes the legal loophole countries like Russia are exploiting and will protect U.S. companies from unfair litigation.

Statements from Congressman Wesley Hunt & Co-Lead Representative Hank Johnson:

"Russia's use of this Title 28 loophole to impose fines on American companies and workers is abhorrent," said Hunt. "Let us recall that sanctions against Russia were only instituted after they made the deliberate decision to invade Ukraine. Protecting America and our business interests should be a top priority for Congress, and I'm profoundly grateful for the bipartisan support this legislation has garnered."

“Four years into Putin’s unprovoked war of aggression in Ukraine, Russia and other foreign entities are still able to sue U.S. companies for abiding by U.S. sanctions,” said Rep. Johnson, ranking member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet. “It’s time for Congress to close this loophole and join the European Union and the United Kingdom in protecting sanctions against Russia and the companies that comply with them.”