Rep. Latimer introduces bill in U.S. House to block Iranian oil sales and impose new sanctions

The new bill, authored by U.S. Rep. George Latimer, seeks to restrict Iranian oil sales and increase sanctions as part of broader U.S. House efforts on foreign policy, according to the U.S. Congress.

H.R.8220 was introduced on April 9, 2026 during the 2026 regular session of the 119th Congress. The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill nullifies an existing Iran-related General License that permits the delivery and sale of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products loaded on vessels after March 20, 2026. Effective immediately upon enactment, it prohibits the Secretary of Treasury from authorizing any transactions related to Iranian oil sales. The bill mandates the President to impose sanctions within 30 days on any Iranian individuals involved in oil extraction, refining, or maritime transportation of petroleum products. It also outlines specific penalties for violations and allows for exceptions regarding humanitarian assistance. Additionally, it requires the Secretary of State to provide a report within 30 days post-enactment and every 60 days for three years, assessing the impact of Iranian oil exports and production levels, particularly in relation to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The bill was introduced only by Rep. George Latimer (Democrat-NY-16th District).

Since the beginning of the current session, Rep. Latimer has introduced another five bills.

Congressional bills can originate in either the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate, except for revenue-related measures, which must begin in the House. After introduction, bills are assigned to committees for review, hearings, amendments and debate before they can advance to a vote in each chamber. If both chambers approve identical versions, the legislation is sent to the president, who may sign it into law or veto it. Congress operates in two-year terms, with each term numbered sequentially and divided into two annual sessions. The legislative process and official bill records are maintained by the U.S. Congress and published through Congress.gov.

George Latimer is a Representative from New York who has held several political offices, including member of the Rye city council from 1988 to 1991, member of the Westchester County board of legislators from 1992 to 2004, member of the New York state assembly from 2005 to 2012, and member of the New York state senate from 2013 to 2017. He has served as executive of Westchester County from 2018 to 2025 and was elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress, beginning January 3, 2025.

Latimer graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1970 and earned a B.A. from Fordham University in 1974, followed by an M.P.A. from New York University in 1976.

Information in this article was obtained from the U.S. Congress. The source data can be found here.