Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 10/07/2008 - Signed by President.

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To amend the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 to promote respect for the fundamental human rights of the people of North Korea, and for other purposes. 5/15/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on May 13, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to the resettlement of North Korean refugees. Amends the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 to authorize appropriations through FY2012 for: (1) activities to support human rights and democracy and freedom of information (by increasing the availability of non-government controlled sources) in North Korea; and (2) assistance to North Koreans who are outside North Korea. Directs the Broadcasting Board of Governors to report respecting U.S. broadcasting to North Korea and the [...]

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Latest Action: 04/17/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia .

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Recognizing that the plight of Kashmiri Pandits has been an ongoing concern since 1989 and that their physical, political, and economic security should be safeguarded by the Government of India and the state government of Jammu and Kashmir.

2/5/2007--Introduced.

Condemns the human rights violations committed against Kashmiri Pandits.

Urges the government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to end cross-border terrorism by dismantling the terrorist infrastructure on territory under its control, so that all Kashmiris can live, work, and worship in peace.

Encourages the government of the Republic of India and the state government of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure that Kashmiri Pandits are treated with respect and are able to safely return to Kashmir.

Latest Action: 03/20/2007 - Committee Hearings Held.

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Disagreeing with the plan announced by the President on January 10, 2007, to increase by more than 20,000 the number of United States combat troops in Iraq, and urging the President instead to consider options and alternatives for achieving success in Iraq. 2/14/2007--Introduced. States that Congress disagrees with the plan announced by the President on January 10, 2007, to increase by more than 20,000 the number of U.S. combat troops in Iraq and urges the President to consider the options set forth in this resolution. States that Congress believes that: (1) the military rules of engagement must allow maximum opportunity for U.S. and coalition forces to pursue the enemy in Iraq; (2) U.S. Armed Forces fighting insurgents and al Qaida terrorists in Al Anbar Province need to be reinforced as determined by military commanders; (3) the Iraq reconstruction effort must focus on projects with a small security footprint; (4) one person in Iraq must have absolute authority and [...]

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Latest Action: 03/09/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

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Expressing the sense of the Congress that a commemorative postage stamp should be issued honoring Varian Fry, and that the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend to the Postmaster General that such a stamp be issued.

3/9/2007--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) a commemorative postage stamp should be issued by the U.S. Postal Service honoring Varian Fry; and (2) the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend to the Postmaster General that such a stamp be issued.

Latest Action: 01/22/2007 - DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 52.

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Paying tribute to Reverend Waitstill Sharp and Martha Sharp for their recognition by the Yad Vashem Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority as Righteous Among the Nations for their heroic efforts to save Jews during the Holocaust. 1/22/2007--Passed House 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.) Recognizes the Reverend Waitstill Sharp and Martha Sharp as genuine American heroes, and pays tribute to them for having their names added to the Wall of Rescuers in the permanent exhibition of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum on September 14, 2006. Commends the organization founded to support the Sharps' work, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, for its efforts to rescue Jews and opponents of the Nazi regime in Europe and for carrying on the Sharps' legacy by working to save the lives of the people of Darfur,[...]

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Latest Action: 04/11/2007 - Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4385-4386)

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A resolution calling on the United States Government and the international community to promptly develop, fund, and implement a comprehensive regional strategy in Africa to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian operations, contain and reduce violence, and contribute to conditions for sustainable peace in eastern Chad, northern Central African Republic, and Darfur, Sudan. 4/11/2007--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Expresses concern for the more than one million citizens of Sudan, Chad, and the Central African Republic who have been affected by violence and instability. Calls upon the governments of Chad and Sudan to: (1) reaffirm their commitment to the Tripoli Declaration of February 8, 2006, and the N'Djamena Agreement of July 26, 2006; (2) refrain from any actions that violate these agreements; and (3) cease all support to each others' insurgent groups. Urges the government of Chad to: (1) improve accountability [...]

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Latest Action: 02/16/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2180-2181)

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A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the creation of refugee populations in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Persian Gulf region as a result of human rights violations. 2/16/2007--Introduced. Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the United States deplores the past and continuing violation of the human rights and religious freedoms of minority populations in Arab and Muslim countries throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and the Persian Gulf; and (2) with respect to Jews, Christians, and other displaced populations from countries in the region any comprehensive Middle East peace agreement must resolve all outstanding issues, including the legitimate rights of all refugees from the Middle East, North Africa, and the Persian Gulf. Urges the President to instruct the U.S. Representative to the United Nations and all U.S. representatives in bilateral and multilateral fora that they should ensure that: (1) relevant text refers to multiple [...]

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Latest Action: 04/17/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight.

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Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should take action to meet its obligations, and to ensure that all other member states of the United Nations meet their obligations, to women as agreed to in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 relating to women, peace, and security, and the United States should fully assume the implementation of international law relating to human rights that protects the rights of women and girls during and after conflicts, and for other purposes. 2/8/2007--Introduced. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) member states of the United Nations should meet their obligations to women as agreed to in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325, including increased representation of women at all decision-making levels in conflict resolution and peace processes; and (2) the United States should fully implement international law relating to human rights that protects the rights of women and [...]

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Latest Action: 04/01/2008 - Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1836-1839)

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Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the creation of refugee populations in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Persian Gulf region as a result of human rights violations. 4/1/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) States that any comprehensive Middle East peace agreement must resolve all outstanding issues relating to the legitimate rights of all refugees in the Middle East, including Jews, Christians, and other displaced populations. States that the President should instruct the U.S. Representative to the United Nations and all U.S. representatives in bilateral and multilateral fora to: (1) use U.S. influence to ensure that Middle East refugee resolutions which include a reference to the required resolution of the Palestinian refugee issue must also include a similarly explicit reference to the resolution of the issue of Jewish refugees from Arab countries; and (2) make clear that the U.S. government [...]

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Latest Action: 06/28/2007 - Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Biden with an amendment and with an amended preamble. Without written report.

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Calling on the League of Arab States and each Member State individually to acknowledge the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan and to step up their efforts to stop the genocide in Darfur.

6/28/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries)

Urges the League of Arab States and each member State to: (1) declare the systematic torture, rape, and displacement of Darfurians a genocide; and (2) pass a resolution to support and accept a United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force, as agreed to by all parties to the Abuja Communique on November 30, 2006, enforce the ceasefire, protect civilians, and ensure access to humanitarian assistance in Darfur.

Urges the League of Arab States work with the United Nations, the African Union, and the United States Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan, Andrew Natsios, to bring about peace and stability to Darfur, the refugee camps, and along the Chadian border.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 09/23/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
A bill to address the impending humanitarian crisis and potential security breakdown as a result of the mass influx of Iraqi refugees into neighboring countries, and the growing internally displaced population in Iraq, by increasing directed accountable assistance to these populations and their host countries, facilitating the resettlement of Iraqis at risk, and for other purposes. 9/23/2008--Introduced. Iraqi Refugee and Internally Displaced Persons Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement, and Security Act of 2008 - Expresses the sense of Congress concerning Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons.Directs the Secretary of State, with respect to vulnerable populations in Iraq and with respect to countries containing a significant population of Iraqi refugees (including Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, and Iran), to provide such countries or appropriate international organizations and nongovernmental organizations with specified humanitarian assistance.Directs [...]

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Latest Action: 07/30/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7789-7790)

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A resolution calling on the Governments of the People's Republic of China and the international community to use the upcoming Olympic Games as an opportunity to push for the parties to the conflicts in Sudan, Chad, and the Central African Republic to cease hostilities and revive efforts toward a peaceful resolution of their national and regional conflicts. 7/30/2008--Introduced. Expresses continued support and sympathy for the hundreds of thousands of civilians of Sudan, Chad, and the Central African Republic who have been affected by the ongoing violence and regional instability. Urges: (1) the United Nations, the African Union, and other international leaders to use the unique opportunity presented by the Olympics to promote peace, dialogue, and reconciliation in areas of conflict; (2) the government of China to press the Sudanese government to commit to a cessation of hostilities, allow the full deployment of UNAMID peacekeeping forces, and engage in good faith in [...]

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Latest Action: 07/18/2008 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Leahy under authority of the order of the Senate of 01/04/2007. With written report No. 110-425.

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An original bill making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 7/18/2008--Introduced. Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2009 - Makes FY2009 appropriations for the Department of State (Department) for: (1) administration of foreign affairs and diplomatic and consular programs; (2) the civilian stabilization initiative; (3) the Capital Investment Fund; (4) the Office of Inspector General; (5) educational and cultural exchange programs; (6) representation allowances; (7) protection of foreign missions and officials; (8) U.S. embassy security, construction, and maintenance; (9) emergencies in the diplomatic and consular service; (10) the repatriation loans program account; (11) the American Institute in Taiwan; (12) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (13) international organizations, peacekeeping, and [...]

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Latest Action: 07/16/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1485)

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To address the impending humanitarian crisis and potential security breakdown as a result of the mass influx of Iraqi refugees into neighboring countries, and the growing internally displaced population in Iraq, by increasing directed accountable assistance to these populations and their host countries, facilitating the resettlement of Iraqis at risk, and for other purposes. 7/15/2008--Introduced. Iraqi Refugee and Internally Displaced Persons Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement, and Security Act of 2008 - Expresses the sense of Congress concerning Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons.Directs the Secretary of State, with respect to vulnerable populations in Iraq (including internally displaced persons) and with respect to countries containing a significant population of Iraqi refugees (including Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, and Iran), to provide such countries or appropriate international organizations and nongovernmental organizations with specified [...]

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Latest Action: 06/23/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
A bill to develop a policy to address the critical needs of Iraqi refugees. 6/23/2008--Introduced. Establishes in the Executive Office of the President the position of White House Coordinator for Iraqi Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons who shall: (1) develop and implement U.S. policies, and coordinate federal functions, to address the protection, resettlement, and assistance needs of Iraqi refugees and displaced persons; (2) monitor the development and implementation of assistance strategies to countries in the Middle East hosting Iraqi refugees; (3) ensure that the President's budget requests to Congress are sufficient to meet the needs of such persons, including providing assistance for international efforts on behalf of such persons; (4) serve as principal liaison with the government of Iraq and the international community and organizations that are assisting such persons; and (5) ensure that the U.S. government will encourage refugee returns only when conditions [...]

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Latest Action: 07/16/2008 - Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Bill Text
To develop a policy to address the critical needs of Iraqi refugees. 6/20/2008--Introduced. Establishes in the Executive Office of the President the position of White House Coordinator for Iraqi Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons who shall: (1) develop and implement U.S. policies, and coordinate federal functions, to address the protection, resettlement, and assistance needs of Iraqi refugees and displaced persons; (2) monitor the development and implementation of assistance strategies to countries in the Middle East hosting Iraqi refugees; (3) ensure that the President's budget requests to Congress are sufficient to meet the needs of such persons, including providing assistance for international efforts on behalf of such persons; (4) serve as principal liaison with the government of Iraq and the international community and organizations that are assisting such persons; and (5) ensure that the U.S. government will encourage refugee returns only when conditions permit [...]

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Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Secure and Safe Detention and Asylum Act)

Bill Text
A bill to provide safeguards against faulty asylum procedures, to improve conditions of detention for detainees, and for other purposes. 6/11/2008--Introduced. Secure and Safe Detention and Asylum Act - Sets forth provisions regarding procedures and standards applicable to aliens detained in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) custody and the conditions of such custody, which shall address: (1) fair and humane treatment; (2) solitary confinement limitations; (3) investigation of grievances; (4) access to telephones and legal assistance; (5) detainee transfers; (6) translation capabilities; (7) medical care; (8) vulnerable populations; (9) standards for non-criminal detainees; (10) personnel training; and (11) reporting of detainee deaths.Establishes in DHS: (1) an Office of Detention Oversight; and (2) a detention alternatives program under which detainees may be released under enhanced supervision.Provides for: (1) legal orientation for immigration and asylum [...]

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Latest Action: 05/13/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, 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 conc

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Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. 5/13/2008--Introduced. Clean Global War on Terror Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes emergency supplemental FY2008 appropriations for specified activities related to the war on terror, international affairs, and national defense matters to the Departments of Agriculture (including food relief to certain foreign countries), of Justice, of Defense (military, including funds for Afghan and Iraqi security forces), of Defense (military construction), and of State (including international peacekeeping activities). Rescinds certain funds made available in: (1) the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 for the Defense Health Program; and (2) the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 for the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund. Makes additional supplemental appropriations [...]

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Latest Action: 10/07/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To amend the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 to promote respect for the fundamental human rights of the people of North Korea, and for other purposes. 5/15/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on May 13, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to the resettlement of North Korean refugees. Amends the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 to authorize appropriations through FY2012 for: (1) activities to support human rights and democracy and freedom of information (by increasing the availability of non-government controlled sources) in North Korea; and (2) assistance to North Koreans who are outside North Korea. Directs the Broadcasting Board of Governors to report respecting U.S. broadcasting to North Korea and the [...]

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