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Bill113th CongressFiled May 8, 2013International Affairs
H.R. 1897

Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2013

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house amended (Aug 1, 2013)

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.

What just happenedSep 9, 2013

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4](R-NJ)Sponsor
16 cosponsors8 D8 R
Read on Congress.gov
16cosponsors2committees19actions1related bills22subjects
  • Referred in SenateSep 9, 2013
  • Engrossed in HouseAug 1, 2013
  • Introduced in HouseMay 8, 2013
  1. Sep 9, 2013IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

  2. Aug 1, 2013FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. Aug 1, 2013FloorH37300

    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)

  4. Aug 1, 2013Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in 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)

  5. Aug 1, 2013FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5295-5296)

  6. Jul 31, 2013FloorH37220

    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.

  7. Jul 31, 2013FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1897.

  8. Jul 31, 2013FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5249-5254)

  9. Jul 31, 2013FloorH30300

    Mr. Royce moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  10. Jun 27, 2013Committee

    Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.

  11. Jun 27, 2013Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  12. Jun 7, 2013Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

  13. Jun 6, 2013IntroReferralB00100

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E815-816)

  14. May 15, 2013Committee

    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Unanimous Consent .

  15. May 15, 2013Committee

    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  16. May 8, 2013Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations.

  17. May 8, 2013IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

  18. May 8, 2013IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  19. May 8, 2013IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedAug 1, 201336

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.

Introduced in HouseMay 8, 2013

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, 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.

Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2013 — Informed