Fitzgerald Co-Introduces Bill to Protect American Businesses from Russian Lawfare
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) co-introduced the Protecting American Businesses from Russian Litigation Act of 2024 to shield American businesses from frivolous Russian lawfare. The bill closes an existing loophole in federal law and amends Chapter 111 of Title 28 of the United States Code to ensure that U.S. persons are protected from lawsuits that result from good faith compliance with U.S. sanctions and export controls.
BACKGROUND: In response to Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. government imposed sanctions and export controls on Russia. To comply with these measures, U.S. companies wound down operations and ceased work in Russia. As a result, U.S. companies have been targeted by Russian litigants seeking damages and being awarded large and inflated claims by Russian courts against U.S. companies. These subjective decisions are then used as the basis for Russian litigants to seek significant damages under U.S. law – essentially functioning as a countersanction for Russia.
American companies shouldn’t be punished for simply complying with U.S. sanctions and export controls. The Protecting American Businesses from Russian Litigation Act of 2024 will protect American companies and their interests so that they are not subject to litigation for good faith compliance with U.S. sanctions and export controls.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.