February 2, 2026
Mr. Issa (for himself and Mr. LaHood) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To authorize the President to impose sanctions with respect to any foreign person or entity that hinders, obstructs or delays Lebanon’s electoral process, including efforts to restrict or prevent Lebanese citizens abroad from voting in parliamentary elections, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Lebanon Election Integrity and Diaspora Voting Protection Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Findings
Congress finds the following:
(1)
Free, fair, and timely elections are essential to Lebanon’s sovereignty, political stability, and democratic governance.
(2)
Lebanon’s constitution and electoral laws provide for participation by Lebanese citizens residing abroad in parliamentary elections.
(3)
Lebanon’s diaspora population – estimated in the millions – plays a critical role in the country’s civic, political, and economic life.
(4)
Hezbollah and other armed groups, corrupt political elites, and foreign actors have historically exerted undue influence over Lebanon’s political processes, including voter intimidation, manipulation of electoral administration, and obstruction of reforms enabling diaspora voting.
(5)
Protecting the rights of Lebanese voters, including those abroad, is in the national security interest of the United States.
Sec. 3. Authorization of sanctions
(a) In general
The President is authorized, in consultation as appropriate with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Director of National Intelligence, to impose the sanctions described in subsection (b) with respect to any foreign person that the President determines—
(1)
has engaged in, sponsored, or provided material support for actions that—
(A)
constitute diaspora voting obstruction; or
(B)
otherwise obstruct Lebanon’s parliamentary elections;
(2)
has obstructed the ability of Lebanese citizens abroad to vote according to Lebanese law;
(3)
has acted on behalf of, or at the direction of, any entity engaged in such activities; or
(4)
has financially, materially, or operationally assisted in any activity described in paragraphs (1) through (3).
(b) Sanctions described
The sanctions described in this subsection are the following:
(1) Asset blocking
Notwithstanding the requirements of section 202 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701), the President may exercise of all powers granted to the President by that Act to the extent necessary to block and prohibit all transactions in all property and interests in property of the foreign person if such property and interests in property are in the United States, come within the United States, or are or come within the possession or control of a United States person.
(2) Ineligibility for visas, admission, or parole
(A) Visas, admission, or parole
A foreign person that is an alien shall be—
(i)
inadmissible to the United States;
(ii)
ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation to enter the United States; and
(iii)
otherwise ineligible to be admitted or paroled into the United States or to receive any other benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
(B) Current visas revoked
The foreign person shall be subject to the following:
(i)
Revocation of any visa or other entry documentation regardless of when the visa or other entry documentation is or was issued.
(ii)
A revocation under clause (i) shall take effect immediately and automatically cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation that is in the foreign person’s possession.
(3) Other measures
Any other sanction imposed using any of the powers granted to the President under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).
(c) Penalty
A person that violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of subsection (d)(2)(A) or any regulation, license, or order issued under that subsection shall be subject to the penalties set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act described in subsection (a) of that section.
Sec. 4. Reports to Congress
(a) Initial report
Not later than 60 days after date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate a report that includes—
(1)
an identification of each foreign person the President determines has engaged in the actions described in section 3(a);
(2)
a description of efforts undermining diaspora voting among Lebanese citizens residing abroad; and
(3)
an assessment of foreign government or proxy involvement, including Iran-backed entities, with respect to the upcoming Lebanese parliamentary elections in May 2026.
(b) Subsequent reports
Not later than 180 days after the date of the submission of the report required by subsection (a), and semi-annually thereafter, the President shall submit to such committees an updated report on—
(1)
new individuals or entities identified as having engaged in the actions described in section 3(a);
(2)
any sanctions imposed in the preceding 180-day period with respect to such newly identified individuals;
(3)
progress or setbacks in Lebanon’s election administration; and
(4)
recommendations for strengthening election integrity and diaspora participation.
Sec. 5. Definitions
In this Act:
(1)
The terms admission, admitted, and alien have the meanings given such terms in section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101).
(2)
The term foreign person means any individual or entity that is not a United States person.
(3)
The term diaspora voting obstruction means any action that directly or indirectly—
(A)
prevents, limits, delays, or manipulates the ability of Lebanese citizens residing abroad to vote in Lebanon’s parliamentary elections;
(B)
undermines voter registration, ballot distribution, ballot collection, or vote tabulation for overseas voters;
(C)
intimidates, threatens, coerces, or retaliates against diaspora voters; or
(D)
otherwise interferes with election administration in ways inconsistent with Lebanese law.
(4)
The term obstruct, with respect to Lebanon’s parliamentary elections, includes any action that—
(A)
undermines the timely conduct of parliamentary elections;
(B)
corrupts or manipulates electoral institutions;
(C)
engages in political violence or coercion to influence outcomes; or
(D)
materially supports such activities.
(5)
The term United States person means—
(A)
a citizen, national, or alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States;
(B)
an entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States, including any foreign subsidiaries of such an entity; and
(C)
any person located in the United States.
Sec. 6. Termination
The authority to impose sanctions under this Act shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.