Top Legislation - View All
Latest Action: 09/29/2008 - Received in the Senate. Bill TextTo amend title 28, United States Code, to prohibit recognition and enforcement of foreign defamation judgments. 5/22/2008--Introduced. Amends the federal judicial code to prohibit a domestic court from recognizing or enforcing a foreign judgment concerning defamation unless the domestic court determines that the foreign judgment is consistent with the First Amendment to the Constitution.
Also tagged in: Civil liberties, Civil-military relations, Communications, Criminal justice, Democracy, Dissenters, Foreign policy, Freedom of the press, Human rights, International affairs, International agencies, International law, Latin America, Law, Murder, Opposition (Political science), Organization of American States (OAS), Police brutality, Political parties, Political persecution, Politics and government, Rule of law, Torture, Treaties, Venezuela
Latest Action: 04/17/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. Bill TextCalling on the Government of Venezuela to uphold the human rights and civil liberties of the people of Venezuela. 1/31/2007--Introduced. Expresses support for the people of Venezuela in their daily struggle for freedom, democratic self-governance, and the establishment of the rule of law. Calls on the government of Venezuela to: (1) abide by its obligations under international human rights treaties and international humanitarian law to ensure the rights of all individuals, irrespective of their political views; and (2) end killings, torture, and ill treatment by the police and military. Encourages: (1) the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights (IACHR) to monitor the human rights situation in Venezuela; and (2) the President and the Secretary of State to assist democracy and human rights activists and the nonviolent democratic opposition in Venezuela. Expresses support for the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) for his [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Censorship, Civil liberties, Communications, Foreign policy, Freedom of the press, Human rights, International affairs, Latin America, Law, Licenses, Mass media, Newspapers, Periodicals, Radio broadcasting, Telecommunication, Television broadcasting, Television stations, Venezuela
Latest Action: 03/01/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Bill TextCalling on the Government of Venezuela to respect a free and independent media and to avoid all acts of censorship against the media and free expression. 3/1/2007--Introduced. Supports members of the media in Venezuela who are facing an assault on their rights to freedoms of the press, speech, and expression. Expresses concern regarding the announcement of Venezuelan President Chavez not to renew the broadcasting license of Radio Caracas Television (RCTV), and calls upon the government of Venezuela to reverse the decision not to renew RCTV's license. Urges the government of Venezuela to: (1) create an independent body to assign and renew broadcasting licenses in Venezuela; and (2) respect the rights of freedom of expression for all Venezuelans. Calls upon the government of Venezuela to respect the rights of an independent media.
Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. Bill TextProposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing the Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States. 1/11/2007--Introduced. Constitutional Amendment - Grants Congress the power to prohibit the physical desecration of the U.S. flag.
Also tagged in: Administrative fees, Armed forces, Budgets, Burma, Business, Child labor, Children, Children's rights, Civil liberties, Communications, Congress, Corporation taxes, Criminal justice, Customs administration, Defense policy, Democracy, Drug abuse, Drug law enforcement, Drug traffic, East Asia, Forced labor, Foreign policy, Freedom of association, Freedom of the press, Human rights, Import restrictions, Income tax, International affairs, Labor, Law, Methamphetamine, Military personnel, Money laundering, Political prisoners, Politics and government, Rape, Religion, Religious liberty, Sanctions (International law), Tax administration, Taxation, Trade, Women
Latest Action: 08/01/2007 - Signed by President. Bill TextJoint resolution approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003, and for other purposes. 8/1/2007--Public Law. (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on July 23, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Approves the renewal of certain import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003. Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to extend certain customs fees for the processing of merchandise entered into the United States through October 21, 2014. Amends the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 to increase the amount of any corporate estimated tax installment otherwise due by a corporation with assets of not less than $1 billion for the third quarter of 2012 to 114.75% of such amount. Deems this resolution a renewal resolution [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Armed forces, Burma, Child labor, Children, Children's rights, Civil liberties, Communications, Congress, Criminal justice, Defense policy, Democracy, Drug abuse, Drug law enforcement, Drug traffic, East Asia, Forced labor, Foreign policy, Freedom of association, Freedom of the press, Human rights, Import restrictions, International affairs, Labor, Methamphetamine, Military personnel, Money laundering, Political prisoners, Politics and government, Rape, Religion, Religious liberty, Sanctions (International law), Trade, Women
Latest Action: 08/29/2007 - By Senator Baucus from Committee on Finance filed written report under authority of the order of the Senate of 08/03/2007. Report No. 110-146. Bill TextA joint resolution approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003. 7/24/2007--Reported to Senate without amendment. (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Approves the renewal of certain import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003.
Also tagged in: Armenia, Assassination, Civil liberties, Communications, Criminal investigation, Criminal justice, Europe, Foreign policy, Freedom of the press, Genocide, Human rights, International affairs, Middle East and North Africa, Murder, Political violence, Prosecution, Reporters and reporting, Turkey
Latest Action: 01/29/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Bill TextCondemning the assassination of human rights advocate and outspoken defender of freedom of the press, Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink on January 19, 2007. 1/29/2007--Introduced. Condemns the assassination of Hrant Dink. Urges the government of Turkey to: (1) continue its investigation and prosecution of those individuals responsible for Hrant Dink's murder; and (2) protect freedom of speech in Turkey by repealing Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code and by opposing intolerance, intimidation, and violence against individuals who are exercising their right of freedom of speech.
Also tagged in: Campaign funds, Civil liberties, Constitution, Constitutional law, Corruption in politics, Elections, Freedom of association, Government ethics, Law, Politics and government, Public corruption, Supreme Court, Supreme Court decisions
Latest Action: 10/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H11302) Bill TextExpressing the sense of Congress that the Supreme Court misinterpreted the First Amendment to the Constitution in the case of Buckley v. Valeo. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Supreme Court misinterpreted the First Amendment to the Constitution in the case of Buckley v. Valeo because the decision failed to recognize: (1) that the unlimited spending of large amounts of money on elections has a corrosive effect on the electoral process not simply because of direct transactions between those who give large amounts of money and candidates and elected officials but because the presence of unlimited amounts of money corrupts the process on a more fundamental level; and (2) other legitimate state interests which justify limiting money in campaigns, including the need to preserve the integrity of our republican form of government, restore public confidence in government, and ensure all citizens a more equal opportunity to participate in the political [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Civil liberties, Commemorations, Congress, Congressional powers, Constitution, Constitutional amendments, Criminal justice, Fines (Penalties), Flags, State and local government, State laws
Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. Bill TextProposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing the Congress and the States to prohibit the act of desecration of the flag of the United States and to set criminal penalties for that act. 1/5/2007--Introduced. Constitutional Amendment - Declares that the Congress and the states shall have power to prohibit desecration of the U.S. flag and to set criminal penalties for such act.
Also tagged in: Armenia, Assassination, Civil liberties, Communications, Criminal investigation, Criminal justice, Europe, Foreign policy, Freedom of the press, Genocide, Human rights, International affairs, Middle East and North Africa, Murder, Political violence, Prosecution, Reporters and reporting, Turkey
Latest Action: 02/12/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Bill TextCondemning the assassination of human rights advocate and outspoken defender of freedom of the press, Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink on January 19, 2007. 2/12/2007--Introduced. Condemns the assassination of Hrant Dink. Urges the government of Turkey to: (1) continue its investigation and prosecution of those individuals responsible for Hrant Dink's murder; and (2) protect freedom of speech in Turkey by repealing Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code and by opposing intolerance, intimidation, and violence against individuals who are exercising their right of freedom of speech.
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Latest Legislation - View All
Also tagged in: Buddhism, China, Civil liberties, Clergy, Constitutions, Detention of persons, Diplomacy, Dissenters, East Asia, Foreign policy, Freedom of association, Human rights, International affairs, Negotiations, Nonviolence, President and foreign policy, Presidents, Public demonstrations, Religion, Religious liberty, Tibet
Latest Action: 09/17/2008 - Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8960-8961) Bill Text
A resolution calling for greater dialogue between the Dalai Lama and the Government of China regarding rights for the people of Tibet, and for other purposes.
Also tagged in: Armed forces, Burma, Child labor, Children, Children's rights, Civil liberties, Communications, Congress, Criminal justice, Defense policy, Democracy, Drug abuse, Drug law enforcement, Drug traffic, East Asia, Forced labor, Foreign policy, Freedom of association, Freedom of the press, Human rights, Import restrictions, International affairs, Labor, Methamphetamine, Military personnel, Money laundering, Political prisoners, Politics and government, Rape, Religion, Religious liberty, Sanctions (International law), Trade, Women
Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - By Senator Baucus from Committee on Finance filed written report. Report No. 110-444. Bill TextA joint resolution approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003. 7/23/2008--Reported to Senate without amendment. (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Approves the renewal of certain import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003.
Also tagged in: Civil liberties, Commemorations, Congress, Congressional powers, Constitution, Constitutional amendments, Criminal justice, Fines (Penalties), Flags, State and local government, State laws
Latest Action: 06/12/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Bill TextA joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing the Congress and the States to prohibit the act of desecration of the flag of the United States and to set criminal penalties for that act. 6/12/2008--Introduced. Constitutional Amendment - Declares that Congress and the states shall have power to prohibit desecration of the U.S. flag and to set criminal penalties for such act.
Also tagged in: Administrative fees, Armed forces, Budgets, Burma, Business, Child labor, Children, Children's rights, Civil liberties, Communications, Congress, Congress and foreign policy, Corporation taxes, Criminal justice, Customs administration, Defense policy, Democracy, Drug abuse, Drug law enforcement, Drug traffic, East Asia, Ethnic relations, Forced labor, Foreign policy, Freedom of association, Freedom of the press, Human rights, Import restrictions, Income tax, International affairs, Labor, Legislation, Methamphetamine, Military personnel, Minorities, Money laundering, Political prisoners, Politics and government, Rape, Religion, Religious liberty, Sanctions (International law), Tax administration, Taxation, Trade, Women
Latest Action: 07/30/2008 - Became Public Law No: 110-287. Bill TextApproving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003. 7/24/2008--Public Law. (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on July 23, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Approves the renewal of certain import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003. Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to extend certain customs fees for the processing of merchandise entered into the United States through October 7, 2017. Amends the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 to increase the amount of any corporate estimated tax installment otherwise due by a corporation with assets of not less than $1 billion for the third quarter of 2013 by 0.25% of such amount. Deems this resolution a renewal resolution which shall take effect upon its enactment [...] show full description
Latest Action: 09/29/2008 - Received in the Senate. Bill TextTo amend title 28, United States Code, to prohibit recognition and enforcement of foreign defamation judgments. 5/22/2008--Introduced. Amends the federal judicial code to prohibit a domestic court from recognizing or enforcing a foreign judgment concerning defamation unless the domestic court determines that the foreign judgment is consistent with the First Amendment to the Constitution.
Also tagged in: Arrest, Canada, Children, China, Civil liberties, Communications, Detention of persons, Dissenters, East Asia, Ethnic relations, Families, Foreign policy, Human rights, International affairs, Language and languages, Minorities, Political persecution, Political prisoners, Political violence, Public demonstrations, Religion, Religious liberty
Latest Action: 05/22/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4805-4806) Bill TextA resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the Government of the People's Republic of China should immediately release from custody the children of Rebiya Kadeer and Canadian citizen Huseyin Celil and should refrain from further engaging in acts of cultural, linguistic, and religious suppression directed against the Uyghur people. 5/22/2008--Introduced. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) should: (1) recognize the linguistic, cultural, and religious rights of the Uyghur people of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region; (2) release the children of Rebiya Kadeer from incarceration and house arrest and cease harassment of the Kadeer family members; (3) release Canadian citizen Huseyin Celil and allow him to rejoin his family in Canada; and (4) cease government-sponsored violence and crackdowns against the people throughout the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
Latest Action: 05/06/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3793-3794) Bill TextA bill to create a Federal cause of action to determine whether defamation exists under United States law in cases in which defamation actions have been brought in foreign courts against United States persons on the basis of publications or speech in the United States. 5/6/2008--Introduced. Free Speech Protection Act of 2008 - Allows any U.S. person against whom a lawsuit for defamation is brought in a foreign country on the basis of the content of any speech by that person that has been published, uttered, or otherwise disseminated in the United States to bring an action in a U.S. district court against any person who, or entity which, brought the suit, if the speech at issue in the foreign lawsuit does not constitute defamation under U.S. law.Allows the award of treble damages if it is determined by a preponderance of the evidence that the person or entity bringing the foreign lawsuit intentionally engaged in a scheme to suppress rights under the First Amendment to [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Antisemitism, Arab countries, Arab-Israeli conflict, Armed forces, Civil liberties, Communications, Defense policy, Foreign policy, Freedom of the press, Human rights, International affairs, Israel, Jewish holocaust (1939-1945), Jews, Middle East and North Africa, Political violence, Religion, Violence in mass media
Latest Action: 06/18/2008 - Mr. Ackerman moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended. Bill TextResolution condemning the endemic restrictions on freedom of the press and media and public expression in the Middle East and the concurrent and widespread presence of anti-Semitic incitement to violence and Holocaust denial in the Arab media and press. 6/18/2008--Passed House amended. (There is 1 other summary) Condemns the restrictions on freedom of the press and expression in the Arab world and the widespread presence of anti-Semitic material, Holocaust denial, and incitement to violence in the Arab media. Deplores the practices utilized by the governments in the Middle East to exert control over the press and on public expression. Expresses concern that many of the Arab governments to which United States has turned for assistance in ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are responsible for using their government-controlled media to promulgate incendiary speech regarding Israel and the Jewish people that makes U.S. efforts to help [...] show full description
Latest Action: 06/03/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property. Bill TextTo create a Federal cause of action to determine whether defamation exists under United States law in cases in which defamation actions have been brought in foreign courts against United States persons on the basis of publications or speech in the United States. 4/16/2008--Introduced. Free Speech Protection Act of 2008 - Allows any U.S. person against whom a lawsuit for defamation is brought in a foreign country on the basis of the content of any speech by that person that has been published, uttered, or otherwise disseminated in the United States to bring an action in a U.S. district court against any person who, or entity which, brought the suit, if the speech at issue in the foreign lawsuit does not constitute defamation under U.S. law.Allows the award of treble damages if it is determined by a preponderance of the evidence that the person or entity bringing the foreign lawsuit intentionally engaged in a scheme to suppress rights under the First Amendment to the [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Armed forces, Arms sales, Buddhism, Burma, China, Civil liberties, Civil-military relations, Clergy, Communications, Constitution, Defense policy, Democracy, Dissenters, East Asia, Elections, Embargo, Ethnic relations, Foreign policy, Freedom of the press, Human rights, International affairs, Military regimes, Minorities, Political parties, Political prisoners, Politics and government, Referendum, Religion, Religious liberty, Right of assembly, Right to travel, Russia, Sanctions (International law), Trade, Ukraine, United Nations, Weapons systems
Latest Action: 05/07/2008 - Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Bill TextCondemning the Burmese regime's undemocratic draft constitution and scheduled referendum. 5/6/2008--Passed House amended. (There is 1 other summary) Denounces the undemocratic and illegitimate actions of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) in Burma that seek to legitimize military rule through a flawed referendum process and an undemocratic constitution. Demands the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, detained Buddhist monks, and all other political prisoners and prisoners of conscience. Denounces the SPDC for its failure to comply with U.N. recommendations and engage in tri-partite dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the 1990 election winning parties, and representatives of ethnic nationalities. Urges the President to: (1) call for U.N. Security Council condemnation of the undemocratic referendum process and the SPDC's flawed constitution; (2) call for a Security Council resolution instructing the regime to comply with [...] show full description
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