Russia would be treated under U.S. law as a state sponsor of terrorism. That would apply existing sanctions, export rules, aid limits, and arms sale limits to Russia. The label would end after peace talks begin or after five years.
Modern Action explains what the legislation does, 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.
Russia is a State Sponsor of Terrorism Act is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Latest action on H.R. 8696: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects anyone who handles Russia-linked trade, money, aid, weapons, or frozen assets. U.S. agencies would have to apply the terrorism-sponsor rules to Russia. Banks, companies, and foreign partners could face more legal risk when dealing with Russia. Ukraine-related food exporters and aid groups get a narrow protection so their work is not punished under this act.
Why this matters: This bill matters because it would attach a powerful U.S. terrorism label to Russia and bring existing sanctions rules along with it. That could affect trade, banking, aid, arms sales, and foreign policy choices tied to Russia. It also decides who controls frozen Russian assets. The executive branch would keep control, rather than letting those assets be used mainly for certain private court judgments. The bill also tries to keep Ukraine food exports and aid moving despite the new label.
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.
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Officially: Russia is a State Sponsor of Terrorism Act
Russia would be treated under U.S. law as a state sponsor of terrorism. That would apply existing sanctions, export rules, aid limits, and arms sale limits to Russia. The label would end after peace talks begin or after five years.
Use this page to support, oppose, or ask Congress to amend HR8696. Modern Action explains what the bill does, helps identify the right senators or representative, and drafts a bill-specific message you can edit and send.
Where it stands
Sitting in House Committee
No vote scheduled. Constituent contact is what moves bills out of committee.
↓ Why your message matters here
This bill is sitting in committee with no scheduled vote — which means a small number of constituent messages can decide whether it moves forward or quietly dies.
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Where this bill is in the process
Introduced
Introduced in House
House Committee
Under House committee consideration
Latest: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. (5/7/2026)
House Floor Vote
Voted on by House
Passed House
Approved by House
Senate Review
Sent to Senate for consideration
Passed Both Chambers
Approved by both House and Senate
Signed into Law
Signed by the President
For more detail
Choose one clear position: support, oppose, or amend. Then pick any reasons or personal context you want included. Modern Action uses that input and the bill context to draft a message you can edit and send.
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The draft includes the bill number, your position, the reasons you selected, any personal context you added, and a direct ask such as voting yes, voting no, cosponsoring, opposing, or seeking changes. You stay in control because you can edit the message before sending.
This page gives you an opportunity to support, oppose, or ask for changes to Russia is a State Sponsor of Terrorism Act, then contact the elected officials who can act. Modern Action drafts the message from your position and the reasons you select.
Modern Action keeps the action tied to the bill itself: what it does, where it is in the process (committee), which office can still act, and what ask belongs in the message.
You are not starting from a blank form. Modern Action drafts the message around HR8696, your stance, and the reasons you choose, then lets you edit and send when ready.