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US HB5274
Bill
Status
9/10/2025
Primary Sponsor
William Keating
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AI Summary
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Codifies existing sanctions under Executive Orders 13219 and 14033 against persons threatening stability in the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia), with an 8-year sunset and waiver provisions for national security interests
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Requires the Secretary of State and USAID Administrator to develop a 5-year regional economic development and democratic resilience strategy within 180 days, including anti-corruption initiatives, support for women-owned enterprises, and coordination with EU and multilateral partners
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Establishes the "Young Balkan Leaders Initiative" (expanding the existing BOLD program) to provide fellowships, professional development, and leadership training for individuals ages 18-35, along with a public engagement center in the region
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Mandates biennial reports to Congress on Russian and Chinese malign influence operations in the Western Balkans, and an interagency report on cybersecurity and ICT infrastructure vulnerabilities within one year
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Expresses congressional support for Kosovo-Serbia normalization based on mutual recognition, opposes border redrawing along ethnic lines, and calls for maintaining the EU Force mandate in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Legislative Description
Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act
International affairs
Last Action
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
9/10/2025