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S. 3257: Sanctioning the Use of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act

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S. 3257: Sanctioning the Use of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act

115th Congress · introduced 2018-07-24 · International Affairs · Latest: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 618.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2018-07-24 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 618. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Sanctioning the Use of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act

Plain summary

Sanction Terrorist Operations Using Human Shields Act of 2018 or the STOP Using Human Shields Act This bill provides for the imposition of sanctions on members of foreign terrorist organizations, including Hamas and Hizballah, and other foreign persons, agencies, or instrumentalities of foreign states with regard to use of civilians, other specially protected persons, or specially protected property to shield lawful targets from attack or to deliberately cause casualties to such persons or the destruction to such property during an armed conflict.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Sanctioning the Use of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX] · 51 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: S. 3257, Sanctioning the Use of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act (2018-10-12)

Cosponsors on this site

John Cornyn (R-TX), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tim Scott (R-SC), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Roger F. Wicker (R-MS), Susan M. Collins (R-ME), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), John Barrasso (R-WY), John Boozman (R-AR), Todd Young (R-IN), John Kennedy (R-LA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Angus S. King, Jr. (I-ME), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), James E. Risch (R-ID), John Hoeven (R-ND), Christopher Murphy (D-CT), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), John Thune (R-SD), Christopher A. Coons (D-DE), Cory A. Booker (D-NJ), Michael F. Bennet (D-CO)

Sponsor's campaign money: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX] reported raising $12.4 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (1)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong115-s3257 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115