US Congress House Bill 1897 (Prior Session Legislation)

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Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: Engrossed on September 9 2013 - 50% progression, died in committee
Action: 2013-09-09 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Pending: Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Engrossed) [PDF]

Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2013 - Prohibits U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to the government of Vietnam in excess of FY2012 amounts unless the President certifies to Congress that the government of Vietnam has made substantial progress respecting political, media, and religious freedoms, minority rights, access to U.S. refugee programs, return of confiscated religious estates and property, and actions to end trafficking in persons and the release of political prisoners. Authorizes the President to waive such requirements if increased U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance would promote the purposes of this Act or is otherwise in the U.S. national interest. Allows the President to waive such authority with respect to: (1) all U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to Vietnam; or (2) one or more programs, projects, or activities of such assistance. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should take measures to overcome the jamming of Radio Free Asia by Vietnam and that the Broadcasting Board of Governors should not cut staffing, funding, or broadcast hours for the Vietnamese language services of the Voice of America and Radio Free Asia; (2) U.S.-Vietnam educational and cultural exchange programs should promote freedom and democracy in Vietnam; (3) the Secretary of State should oppose Vietnam's candidacy for membership on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC); (4) Vietnam should be designated as a country of particular concern for religious freedom; and (5) Vietnam does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance. Directs the President to report annually to Congress regarding Vietnam's compliance with the provisions of this Act.

Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2013

Rep. Christopher Smith [R-NJ]	Rep. David Cicilline [D-RI]	Rep. Gerald Connolly [D-VA]	Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee [D-TX]
Rep. Zoe Lofgren [D-CA]	Rep. Alan Lowenthal [D-CA]	Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers [R-WA]	Rep. Mark Meadows [R-NC]
Rep. James Moran [D-VA]	Rep. Ted Poe [R-TX]	Rep. Dana Rohrabacher [R-CA]	Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard [D-CA]
Rep. Edward Royce [R-CA]	Rep. Loretta Sanchez [D-CA]	Rep. Brad Sherman [D-CA]	Rep. Steve Stockman [R-TX]
Rep. Frank Wolf [R-VA]

2013-08-01 - House - On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended (Y: 405 N: 3 NV: 25 Abs: 0) [PASS]

Date	Chamber	Action
2013-09-09	Senate	Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
2013-08-01	House	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2013-08-01	House	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 3 (Roll no. 435). (text: CR 7/31/2013 H5249-5251)
2013-08-01	House	Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5295-5296)
2013-07-31	House	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
2013-07-31	House	DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1897.
2013-07-31	House	Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5249-5254)
2013-07-31	House	Mr. Royce moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
2013-06-27	House	Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
2013-06-27	House	Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
2013-06-07	House	Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
2013-06-06	House	Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E815-816)
2013-05-15	House	Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Unanimous Consent .
2013-05-15	House	Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
2013-05-08	House	Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations.
2013-05-08	House	Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

SB1649 (Related) 2013-11-05 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Type	Source
Summary	https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/1897/all-info
Text	https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr1897/BILLS-113hr1897ih.pdf
Text	https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr1897/BILLS-113hr1897eh.pdf
Roll Call	https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2013435