Economic Sanctions: Legislation in the 106th Congress

Publication Date: December 2000

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

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Research Area: Government

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Abstract:

Economic sanctions are coercive measures imposed by one country, or coalition of countries, against another country, its government or individual entities therein, to bring about a change in behavior or policies. Economic sanctions regimes typically include a range of measures such as trade embargoes; restrictions on exports or imports; denial of foreign assistance, loans and investments; control of foreign assets held in the United States; or the restriction of economic transactions that involve U.S. citizens or businesses.

As one part of the foreign policy tool kit, economic sanctions are often used in conjunction with diplomatic, political, cultural, or military options. The 106th Congress considered more than 150 legislative proposals that would have imposed new foreign policy or national security sanctions, modified or terminated existing sanctions regimes, made some aspects of U.S. trade exempt from the application of such sanctions, or reformed how Congress and the Executive Branch use sanctions in furtherance of foreign policy or national security.