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Bill113th CongressFiled Jan 15, 2013International Affairs
H.R. 301

To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia.

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

Filed
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Law

What it doesSummary passed house amended (Sep 18, 2013)

(Sec. 2) Directs the President to appoint a Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia within the Department of State. Requires the Special Envoy to have the rank of ambassador.

(Sec. 3) Requires the Special Envoy to: (1) promote the right of religious freedom of religious minorities in the countries of the Near East and South Central Asia, denounce the violation of such right, and recommend appropriate U.S government responses to such violations; (2) monitor and combat acts of religious intolerance and incitement targeted against such religious minorities; (3) ensure that the needs of such religious minority communities are addressed, including economic and security needs directly tied to religious-based discrimination and persecution; (4) work with foreign governments of such countries to address inherently discriminatory laws; and (5) coordinate and assist in the preparation of specified reports required by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.

(Sec. 4) Authorizes the Special Envoy, subject to direction by the President and the Secretary of State, to represent the United States in matters and cases relevant to religious freedom in: (1) contacts with foreign governments, intergovernmental organizations, and specialized agencies of the United Nations (U.N.), the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe, and other international organizations; and (2) multilateral conferences and meetings relevant to religious freedom.

(Sec. 5) Requires the Special Envoy to give priority to programs, projects, and activities for Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

(Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to eliminate certain positions within the State Department as necessary to offset the costs of carrying out this Act.

(Sec. 7) Declares that this Act shall cease to be effective on October 1, 2018.

What just happenedSep 19, 2013

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

Who’s behind it

Rep. Wolf, Frank R. [R-VA-10](R-VA)Sponsor
72 cosponsors24 D48 R
Read on Congress.gov
72cosponsors2committees15actions1related bills14subjects
  • Referred in SenateSep 19, 2013
  • Engrossed in HouseSep 18, 2013
  • Introduced in HouseJan 15, 2013
  1. Sep 19, 2013IntroReferral

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

  2. Sep 18, 2013FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 - 22 (Roll no. 465). (text: CR 9/17/2013 H5564-5565)

  3. Sep 18, 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): 402 - 22 (Roll no. 465).(text: CR 9/17/2013 H5564-5565)

  4. Sep 18, 2013FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5606)

  5. Sep 17, 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.

  6. Sep 17, 2013FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 301.

  7. Sep 17, 2013FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5564-5567)

  8. Sep 17, 2013FloorH30300

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

  9. Mar 15, 2013Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Middle East and North Africa.

  10. Mar 15, 2013Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

  11. Mar 15, 2013Committee

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

  12. Jan 15, 2013IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

  13. Jan 15, 2013IntroReferralB00100

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E31)

  14. Jan 15, 2013IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  15. Jan 15, 2013IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedSep 18, 201336

(Sec. 2) Directs the President to appoint a Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia within the Department of State. Requires the Special Envoy to have the rank of ambassador.

(Sec. 3) Requires the Special Envoy to: (1) promote the right of religious freedom of religious minorities in the countries of the Near East and South Central Asia, denounce the violation of such right, and recommend appropriate U.S government responses to such violations; (2) monitor and combat acts of religious intolerance and incitement targeted against such religious minorities; (3) ensure that the needs of such religious minority communities are addressed, including economic and security needs directly tied to religious-based discrimination and persecution; (4) work with foreign governments of such countries to address inherently discriminatory laws; and (5) coordinate and assist in the preparation of specified reports required by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.

(Sec. 4) Authorizes the Special Envoy, subject to direction by the President and the Secretary of State, to represent the United States in matters and cases relevant to religious freedom in: (1) contacts with foreign governments, intergovernmental organizations, and specialized agencies of the United Nations (U.N.), the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe, and other international organizations; and (2) multilateral conferences and meetings relevant to religious freedom.

(Sec. 5) Requires the Special Envoy to give priority to programs, projects, and activities for Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

(Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to eliminate certain positions within the State Department as necessary to offset the costs of carrying out this Act.

(Sec. 7) Declares that this Act shall cease to be effective on October 1, 2018.

Introduced in HouseJan 15, 2013

Directs the President to appoint a Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia within the Department of State.

Requires the Special Envoy to: (1) promote the right of religious freedom of religious minorities in the countries of the Near East and South Central Asia, denounce the violation of such right, and recommend appropriate U.S government responses to such violations; (2) monitor and combat acts of religious intolerance and incitement targeted against such religious minorities; (3) ensure that the needs of such religious minority communities are addressed, including economic and security needs directly tied to religious-based discrimination and persecution; (4) work with foreign governments of such countries to address inherently discriminatory laws; and (5) coordinate and assist in the preparation of specified reports required by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.

Authorizes the Special Envoy, subject to direction by the President and the Secretary of State, to represent the United States in matters and cases relevant to religious freedom in: (1) contacts with foreign governments, intergovernmental organizations, and specialized agencies of the United Nations (U.N.), the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe, and other international organizations; and (2) multilateral conferences and meetings relevant to religious freedom.

Requires the Special Envoy to give priority to programs, projects, and activities for Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

Declares that this Act shall cease to be effective on October 1, 2018.

To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Reli… — Informed