Contact Congress about H.R. 2619: No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act

The bill would make the president keep explaining to Congress how Iranian funds, sanctions, and frozen assets are handled in cases tied to U.S. hostages. It also pushes for tighter oversight of Iranian diplomats, reviews of U.S. travel to Iran, and a broader plan to deter hostage-taking.

Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 45 - 6.

Latest action on H.R. 2619: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 45 - 6.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects Americans held by Iran or by people acting for Iran, their families, and officials who handle hostage cases. It also affects Iranian officials and diplomats, banks and governments dealing with Iranian assets, and Americans who may travel to Iran. Congress would get much more information, and the executive branch would have to defend its choices in public reports.

Why this matters: This bill matters because it would make the government explain, in detail and over several years, how it handles Iranian money, sanctions, and hostage cases involving Americans. That could make it harder for any administration to move funds, ease pressure, or skip sanctions without giving Congress a clear reason. It also could affect travel to Iran, diplomatic access at the United Nations, and how the U.S. works with allies to stop hostage-taking. The biggest real-world effect is more oversight now, with broader policy changes possible later depending on how the executive branch responds.

Key provisions in H.R. 2619

• The president would have to report on the $6 billion in Iranian funds moved from South Korea to restricted accounts in Qatar. The first report is due within 90 days, then every 180 days for 6 years.
• The reports would have to say whether there is credible evidence the money was used for non-humanitarian purposes. They also must say whether the money helped Iran spend more on defense, intelligence, or other harmful foreign activity.
• The government would have to give itemized details for each transaction. That includes the amount, the people or entities involved, the banks, what was bought, where it went, who used it, and how the U.S. checked that it stayed humanitarian.
• The president would have to review hostage-taking and wrongful detention cases involving U.S. nationals in Iran, or at Iran's direction, from the prior 10 years. The first review is due within 180 days, then once a year for 6 years.
• Each year, the president would have to name foreign people found responsible for, directing, or supporting those acts. The report also must say whether sanctions under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act have been or will be imposed.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 2619

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about H.R. 2619

What is H.R. 2619?

The bill would make the president keep explaining to Congress how Iranian funds, sanctions, and frozen assets are handled in cases tied to U.S. hostages. It also pushes for tighter oversight of Iranian diplomats, reviews of U.S. travel to Iran, and a broader plan to deter hostage-taking.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 2619?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 2619?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain H.R. 2619 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.