Bill would let the president grant legal immunities to five world bodies
Passed one chamberH.R. 4490Latest action
Sponsor: Joaquin Castro · Representative · TX
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: PARTNER Act
119th Congress
Topics: Security & foreign affairs
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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The PARTNER Act would let the president grant legal privileges and immunities to ASEAN, CERN, the Pacific Islands Forum, CARICOM, and the African Union.
45-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
This bill authorizes the president to extend certain legal privileges and immunities, similar to those given to organizations like the United Nations, to five international organizations. It also updates law so the African Union's UN observer mission in New York and its staff receive the same privileges and responsibilities as other countries' UN missions and diplomats.
Who does it affect?
Affects ASEAN, CERN, the Pacific Islands Forum, CARICOM, and the African Union, along with their staff working in the United States. Also relevant to U.S. foreign relations agencies and diplomatic partners.
Why does it matter?
The change affects how these organizations and their employees are treated legally in the U.S., including protections from certain lawsuits or legal processes. It has implications for diplomacy and cooperation on nuclear research, regional security, and economic ties, but does not directly affect most Americans' daily lives.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJul 17, 2025
- House committee
- House vote
- SenateYou are here · Sep 3, 2025
- The president's desk
Right now: it passed the House, and the official record shows nothing new since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.