House passes bill that would sanction International Criminal Court for trying to arrest Netanyahu

In one of the new Congress' first acts, the bill passed 243-140, with 45 Democrats joining Republicans in support of it. 

"The United States is a sovereign country, so I don't assign any credibility to decisions of the International Criminal Court. But how did a bill to protect Netanyahu make it into the House rules package to be voted on immediately after the Speaker vote? Where are our priorities?!" he wrote on X last week. 

The legislation was reintroduced by Texas Reps. Chip Roy, and Foreign Affairs Chairman Brian Mast, both Republicans. 

Netanyahu fired Gallant shortly after the U.S. presidential election. 

Khan's application was unprecedented - the first time the criminal court had sought arrests for Western-allied officials. 

"The ICC is an illegitimate body that has no business interfering with our sovereignty or that of our allies," said Roy. 

Israel has carried out a vicious campaign to eliminate Hamas in Gaza since Hamas' bloody attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Trump has warned both sides to wrap up the conflict, and Hamas to return the hostages by the time he takes office on Jan. 20. 

The Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act would sanction any foreigner working to investigate, arrest, detain or prosecute U.S. citizens or those of an allied country. 

It would also claw back any funds the U.S. has designated for the ICC and prohibit any future money from going to the court.