H.R. 4490 Passed the House International Affairs

PARTNER Act

To amend the International Organizations Immunities Act to extend diplomatic privileges and immunities to certain additional international and regional organizations, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20] Introduced July 17, 2025 Cosponsors 8 (5 D, 3 R) Latest action September 3, 2025

Summary

Providing Appropriate Recognition and Treatment Needed to Enhance Relations Act or the PARTNER Act
This bill authorizes the President to extend diplomatic immunities and privileges provided by the International Organizations Immunities Act, including immunity from certain lawsuits and exemption from property taxes, to specified international regional and research organizations. 
Specifically, the bill authorizes the President to extend these immunities and privileges to
- the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a regional organization with 10 members including Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam;
- the Pacific Islands Forum, a regional organization with 18 members including Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea;
- the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), a regional organization with 15 members and 6 associate members including Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, and Saint Lucia; and
- the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), an international research organization focused on particle physics.
The bill also authorizes the President to extend to the permanent observer mission of the African Union to the United Nations the privileges and immunities provided to permanent missions to the United Nations of member states.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Sep 3, 2025 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  2. Sep 2, 2025 The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
  3. Sep 2, 2025 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  4. Sep 2, 2025 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3734)
  5. Sep 2, 2025 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4490.
  6. Sep 2, 2025 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3734-3736)
  7. Sep 2, 2025 Mr. Baumgartner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  8. Jul 22, 2025 Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
  9. Jul 22, 2025 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  10. Jul 17, 2025 Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
  11. Jul 17, 2025 Introduced in House

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