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Public Law115th CongressInternational Affairs
H.R. 390Became Law

Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2018

This bill became law

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What it doesSummary public law (Dec 11, 2018)

Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2018

This bill authorizes U.S. government agencies to provide humanitarian, stabilization, and recovery assistance for nationals and residents of Iraq and Syria, in particular ethnic and minority individuals at risk of persecution or war crimes. It also authorizes the agencies to assist in prosecuting those suspected of such crimes.

(Sec. 5) The Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) may provide financial and technical assistance to support entities, including nongovernmental organizations with expertise in international criminal investigations and law, to address crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Iraq. The assistance includes:

  • conducting criminal investigations,
  • developing indigenous investigative and judicial skills to adjudicate cases consistent with due process and respect for the rule of law, and
  • collecting and preserving evidence for use in prosecutions.

The State Department shall encourage foreign governments to identify and prosecute ISIS members suspected of committing such crimes.

(Sec. 6) The State Department shall identify:

  • threats of persecution, crimes against humanity, and war crimes against Iraqi or Syrian minority religious or ethnic groups;
  • such groups that are at risk of forced migration and the primary reasons for such risk;
  • humanitarian, stabilization, and recovery needs of these individuals; and
  • entities, including faith-based entities, that are providing such assistance and the extent of U.S. assistance to or through such entities.

The State Department and USAID may support entities that are providing aid to the vulnerable groups.

(Sec. 7) The State Department shall report to Congress its efforts to implement this bill, as well as an assessment of the feasibility and advisability of prosecuting ISIS members.

What just happenedDec 11, 2018

Became Public Law No: 115-300.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4](R-NJ)Sponsor
47 cosponsors7 D40 R
Read on Congress.gov
47cosponsors3committees35actions3amendments19subjects
  1. Dec 11, 2018PresidentE40000

    Became Public Law No: 115-300.

  2. Dec 11, 2018BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 115-300.

  3. Dec 11, 2018PresidentE30000

    Signed by President.

  4. Dec 11, 2018BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Nov 29, 2018FloorE20000

    Presented to President.

  6. Nov 29, 2018President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Nov 27, 2018ResolvingDifferencesH41931

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

  8. Nov 27, 2018ResolvingDifferencesH41610

    On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by voice vote. (text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H9600-9601)

  9. Nov 27, 2018NotUsed19500

    Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by voice vote.(text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H9600-9601)

  10. Nov 27, 2018FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 390.

  11. Nov 27, 2018ResolvingDifferencesH40140

    Mr. Smith (NJ) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments. (consideration: CR H9600-9604)

  12. Oct 12, 2018Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  13. Oct 11, 2018Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.

  14. Oct 11, 2018Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.

  15. Oct 11, 2018Floor

    The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.

  16. Oct 11, 2018Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6876-6879)

  17. Sep 19, 2017Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 227.

  18. Sep 19, 2017Committee

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  19. Sep 19, 2017Committee14000

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  20. Sep 19, 2017Committee

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  21. Jun 7, 2017IntroReferral

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

    Foreign Relations Committee
  22. Jun 6, 2017FloorH38800

    The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

  23. Jun 6, 2017FloorH38310

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

  24. Jun 6, 2017FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4632-4633)

  25. Jun 6, 2017Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H4632-4633)

  26. Jun 6, 2017FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 390.

  27. Jun 6, 2017FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4632-4638)

  28. Jun 6, 2017FloorH30300

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

  29. Mar 29, 2017Committee

    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  30. Mar 29, 2017Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  31. Jan 10, 2017IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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 concerned.

    Judiciary Committee
  32. Jan 10, 2017IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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 concerned.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  33. Jan 10, 2017IntroReferralB00100

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E40)

  34. Jan 10, 2017IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  35. Jan 10, 2017IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Public LawDec 11, 201849

Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2018

This bill authorizes U.S. government agencies to provide humanitarian, stabilization, and recovery assistance for nationals and residents of Iraq and Syria, in particular ethnic and minority individuals at risk of persecution or war crimes. It also authorizes the agencies to assist in prosecuting those suspected of such crimes.

(Sec. 5) The Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) may provide financial and technical assistance to support entities, including nongovernmental organizations with expertise in international criminal investigations and law, to address crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Iraq. The assistance includes:

  • conducting criminal investigations,
  • developing indigenous investigative and judicial skills to adjudicate cases consistent with due process and respect for the rule of law, and
  • collecting and preserving evidence for use in prosecutions.

The State Department shall encourage foreign governments to identify and prosecute ISIS members suspected of committing such crimes.

(Sec. 6) The State Department shall identify:

  • threats of persecution, crimes against humanity, and war crimes against Iraqi or Syrian minority religious or ethnic groups;
  • such groups that are at risk of forced migration and the primary reasons for such risk;
  • humanitarian, stabilization, and recovery needs of these individuals; and
  • entities, including faith-based entities, that are providing such assistance and the extent of U.S. assistance to or through such entities.

The State Department and USAID may support entities that are providing aid to the vulnerable groups.

(Sec. 7) The State Department shall report to Congress its efforts to implement this bill, as well as an assessment of the feasibility and advisability of prosecuting ISIS members.

Passed House amendedJun 6, 201736

Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2017

(Sec. 4) This bill states that is U.S. policy to ensure that humanitarian, stabilization, and recovery assistance for nationals and residents of Iraq or Syria, and of communities from those countries, is directed toward ethnic and minority individuals and communities with the greatest need, including those individuals and communities that are at risk of persecution or war crimes.

(Sec. 5) The Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development may provide assistance, including financial and technical assistance, to support the efforts of entities, including nongovernmental organizations with expertise in international criminal investigations and law, to address crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes in Iraq since January 2014 by:

  • conducting criminal investigations,
  • developing indigenous investigative and judicial skills to adjudicate cases consistent with due process and respect for the rule of law, and
  • collecting and preserving evidence for use in prosecutions.

The State Department shall encourage foreign governments to identify and prosecute individuals who are suspected of committing such crimes, including members of foreign terrorist organizations operating in Iraq or Syria.

(Sec. 6) The State Department shall identify:

  • threats of persecution, genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes against members of Iraqi or Syrian religious or ethnic groups that are minorities in Iraq or in Syria with respect to whom the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has committed such crimes in Iraq or Syria since January 2014 or who are members of other persecuted religious or ethnic groups;
  • persecuted religious and ethnic minority groups in Iraq or Syria that are at risk of forced migration and the primary reasons for such risk;
  • humanitarian, stabilization, and recovery needs of these individuals; and
  • entities, including faith-based entities, that are providing such assistance and the extent of U.S. assistance to or through such entities.

(Sec. 7) The State Department shall provide Congress with:

  • a description of the efforts taken and proposed to implement this bill; and
  • an assessment of the feasibility and advisability of prosecuting individuals for acts of genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes in Iraq since January 2014 or in Syria since March 2011.

Introduced in HouseJan 10, 2017

Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2017

This bill directs the Department of State to provide assistance to entities taking specified criminal and judicial actions against individuals who are suspected of committing genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes in Iraq since January 2014 or in Syria since March 2011.

The State Department shall encourage foreign governments to identify and prosecute individuals who are suspected of committing such crimes, including members of foreign terrorist organizations operating in Iraq or Syria.

The Department of Justice shall review existing criminal statutes concerning genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes to determine:

  • the extent to which U.S. courts have jurisdiction over such crimes where the perpetrators or victims are U.S. nationals, residents, or persons present in a U.S. territory;
  • current statutes that would apply to such conduct and whether additional statutory authorities are necessary; and
  • the extent to which the absence of criminal statutes defining the crimes or granting jurisdiction impede their prosecution in U.S. courts.

The State Department shall identify:

  • threats of persecution, genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes against members of Iraqi or Syrian religious or ethnic groups that are minorities in Iraq or in Syria with respect to whom the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has committed such crimes in Iraq or Syria since January 2014, or who are members of other persecuted religious or ethnic groups;
  • humanitarian, stabilization, and recovery needs of these individuals; and
  • assistance provided by the United States, the U.N., and other entities, including faith-based entities.

Aliens who are, or were, a national and a resident of Iraq or Syria, and who share common characteristics that identify them as targets of persecution on account of membership in a religious or ethnic minority in that country: (1) are deemed to be of special humanitarian concern to the United States; and (2) shall be eligible for priority-2 processing under the refugee resettlement priority system.

The Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1990 is amended to extend: (1) refugee set-asides for nationals of the former Soviet Union, Estonia, Latvia, or Lithuania; and (2) the period of eligibility for status adjustment from a parolee who was denied refugee status to a lawfully admitted permanent resident for certain aliens from the former Soviet Union, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Vietnam, Laos, or Cambodia.

Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2018 — Informed