News: The new top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will oppose House-passed legislation to punish the International Criminal Court, potentially complicating the bill’s prospects in the Senate.
In an interview, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) said she has “serious concerns” with the bill and suggested it would undermine foreign alliances. Shaheen said the “draconian” sanctions would target ICC employees who are “primarily citizens of our allies.”
“There is a better way to address the concerns about the ICC, which I share, but to do it in a way that doesn’t prevent us from being able to work on areas of mutual concern in the future,” Shaheen added, noting war crimes investigations in Ukraine and Sudan.
The House passed the bill last week with 45 Democrats in support. Senate Majority Leader John Thune is expected to tee up the measure as soon as this week.
Shaheen has established herself as a foreign-policy force on the Hill, and several Democratic senators will undoubtedly look to her when deciding whether to back the ICC sanctions bill. It’s unclear if enough Democrats would join Republicans to overcome a filibuster.
The ICC issue has long divided Democrats and inflamed partisan tensions on the Hill. The Foreign Relations Committee didn’t hold a business meeting during the last eight months of 2024 because the panel’s now-chair, Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), refused to advance nominations or legislation until the ICC bill was considered.
Shaheen is the highest-ranking woman in that committee’s history. Shaheen, who turns 78 this month, is up for reelection in 2026 but told us she’s undecided on whether to seek a fourth Senate term. In order to have a chance at becoming the first woman to chair the storied committee, Shaheen would need to run.
