H.R. 476 — No Russian Tunnel to Crimea Act

This section states congressional findings on Russia's 2014 invasion and annexation of Crimea (internationally recognized as Ukrainian territory), construction of the Kerch Strait Bridge, full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, use of Crimea to support that invasion (including housing troops, storing weapons, and hosting the Black Sea Fleet), and reported October 2023 discussions between Russian and Chinese officials on building a tunnel from Russia to Crimea.

This section requires the President to impose sanctions on any foreign person who knowingly participates in the construction, maintenance, or repair of a tunnel or bridge connecting the Russian mainland with the Crimean peninsula. The sanctions are (1) asset blocking using all powers granted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA, 50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), notwithstanding IEEPA's requirement for a national emergency declaration; and (2) visa restrictions, including inadmissibility to the United States, ineligibility for visas or parole, and revocation of existing visas under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.). The section provides exceptions for compliance with U.S. international obligations (e.g., UN Headquarters Agreement), humanitarian assistance activities (e.g., agricultural commodities, food, medicine), and U.S. intelligence, law enforcement, or national security activities; authorizes IEEPA implementation and penalties (50 U.S.C. 1702, 1704, 1705); allows the President to waive sanctions with 15 days' prior certification to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Senate Committee on Foreign Relations that a waiver is important to U.S. national security interests; and defines terms including foreign person and U.S. person.