US Congress Senate Bill 653 (Prior Session Legislation)

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Completed Legislative Action
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 18-5)
Status: Passed on August 8 2014 - 100% progression
Action: 2014-08-08 - Became Public Law No: 113-161.
Text: Latest bill text (Enrolled) [PDF]

Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act of 2014 - (Sec. 2) Authorizes 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) Provides for the Special Envoy to consult, as appropriate, with domestic and international nongovernmental organizations and multilateral organizations and institutions. (Sec. 6) Terminates this Act on October 1, 2019. (Sec. 7) Authorizes the Secretary of State to provide specified amounts to the Special Envoy from amounts appropriated for FY2015-FY2019.

Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act of 2014

Sen. Roy Blunt [R-MO]	Sen. Richard Blumenthal [D-CT]	Sen. John Boozman [R-AR]	Sen. Daniel Coats [R-IN]
Sen. Susan Collins [R-ME]	Sen. John Cornyn [R-TX]	Sen. Mike Crapo [R-ID]	Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]
Sen. Michael Enzi [R-WY]	Sen. Mike Johanns [R-NE]	Sen. Tim Kaine [D-VA]	Sen. Mark Kirk [R-IL]
Sen. Carl Levin [D-MI]	Sen. Jerry Moran [R-KS]	Sen. Rob Portman [R-OH]	Sen. Mark Pryor [D-AR]
Sen. Pat Roberts [R-KS]	Sen. Marco Rubio [R-FL]	Sen. Tim Scott [R-SC]	Sen. Jeff Sessions [R-AL]
Sen. Debbie Stabenow [D-MI]	Sen. Pat Toomey [R-PA]	Sen. Roger Wicker [R-MS]

Date	Chamber	Action
2014-08-08	House	Became Public Law No: 113-161.
2014-08-08	House	Signed by President.
2014-07-29	House	Presented to President.
2014-07-25	House	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2014-07-25	House	On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H6837-6838)
2014-07-25	House	Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H6837-6838)
2014-07-25	House	Mr. Smith (NJ) asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.
2014-07-14	House	Held at the desk.
2014-07-14	House	Received in the House.
2014-07-14	Senate	Message on Senate action sent to the House.
2014-07-10	Senate	Passed Senate with amendments by Voice Vote. (text: CR S4435-4436)
2014-07-10	Senate	S.AMDT.3556 Amendment SA 3556 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
2014-07-10	Senate	S.AMDT.3556 Amendment SA 3556 proposed by Senator Reid for Senator Blunt. (consideration: CR S4435; text: CR S4435)To improve the bill.
2014-07-10	Senate	Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4435-4436)
2013-12-18	Senate	Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 268.
2013-12-18	Senate	Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez without amendment. Without written report.
2013-12-18	Senate	Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
2013-03-22	Senate	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

HB301 (Related) 2013-09-19 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Type	Source
Summary	https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/653/all-info
Text	https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/s653/BILLS-113s653is.pdf
Text	https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/s653/BILLS-113s653rs.pdf
Text	https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/s653/BILLS-113s653es.pdf
Text	https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/s653/BILLS-113s653enr.pdf