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Public Law115th CongressInternational Affairs
S. 1158Became Law

Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act of 2018

This bill became law

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What it doesSummary public law (Jan 14, 2019)

Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act of 2018

This bill directs the Department of State to provide additional training for Foreign Service Officers assigned to a country experiencing or at risk of mass atrocities, such as genocide or war crimes. The training shall include instruction on recognizing patterns of escalation and early signs of potential atrocities, and methods of preventing and responding to atrocities.

The President shall report annually to Congress on U.S. efforts to prevent mass atrocities. The report shall cover topics including a review of current U.S. activities, funding expended on such activities, recommendations on how to strengthen such efforts, and the state of the implementation of the recommendations from the previous year's report.

What just happenedJan 14, 2019

Became Public Law No: 115-441.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD](D-MD)Sponsor
34 cosponsors27 D6 R1 I
Read on Congress.gov
34cosponsors1committees27actions1amendments1related bills14subjects
  1. Jan 14, 2019President

    Became Public Law No: 115-441.

  2. Jan 14, 2019BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 115-441.

  3. Jan 14, 2019President

    Signed by President.

  4. Jan 14, 2019BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Jan 2, 2019Floor

    Presented to President.

  6. Jan 2, 2019President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Dec 21, 2018FloorH38310

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

  8. Dec 21, 2018FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 367 - 4 (Roll no. 489). (text: CR H10546-10547)

  9. Dec 21, 2018Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 367 - 4 (Roll no. 489).(text: CR H10546-10547)

  10. Dec 21, 2018FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H10574-10575)

  11. Dec 21, 2018FloorH37220

    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.

  12. Dec 21, 2018FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1158.

  13. Dec 21, 2018FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10546-10547)

  14. Dec 21, 2018FloorH30300

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

  15. Dec 13, 2018FloorH15000

    Held at the desk.

  16. Dec 13, 2018Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  17. Dec 13, 2018FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  18. Dec 12, 2018Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  19. Dec 12, 2018Floor17000

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

  20. Dec 12, 2018Floor

    The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent. (CR S7522)

  21. Dec 12, 2018Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7522-7524)

  22. Jun 27, 2018Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 489.

  23. Jun 27, 2018Committee

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

    Foreign Relations Committee
  24. Jun 27, 2018Committee14000

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

    Foreign Relations Committee
  25. Jun 26, 2018Committee

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

    Foreign Relations Committee
  26. May 17, 2017IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3014-3015)

    Foreign Relations Committee
  27. May 17, 2017IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Public LawJan 14, 201949

Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act of 2018

This bill directs the Department of State to provide additional training for Foreign Service Officers assigned to a country experiencing or at risk of mass atrocities, such as genocide or war crimes. The training shall include instruction on recognizing patterns of escalation and early signs of potential atrocities, and methods of preventing and responding to atrocities.

The President shall report annually to Congress on U.S. efforts to prevent mass atrocities. The report shall cover topics including a review of current U.S. activities, funding expended on such activities, recommendations on how to strengthen such efforts, and the state of the implementation of the recommendations from the previous year's report.

Introduced in SenateMay 17, 2017

Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act of 2017

This bill states that it is U.S. policy to regard the prevention of genocide and other atrocity crimes as a core national security interest and a core moral responsibility.

The President shall instruct the Department of State to establish a Mass Atrocities Task Force to strengthen State Department efforts and assist other agency efforts at atrocity prevention and response.

The Foreign Service Act of 1980 is amended to provide for the training of Foreign Service Officers in conflict and atrocity crimes prevention.

The Director of National Intelligence is encouraged to include in his or her annual testimony to Congress on threats to U.S. national security: (1) a review of countries and regions at risk of atrocity crimes; and (2) specific countries and regions at immediate risk of atrocity crimes, including most likely pathways to violence, specific risk factors, potential perpetrators, and at-risk target groups.

The bill establishes the Complex Crises Fund to enable the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development to support programs and activities to prevent or respond to emerging or unforeseen foreign challenges and complex crises overseas, including potential atrocity crimes. Fund amounts may not be expended for lethal assistance or to respond to natural disasters.

Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act of 2018 — Informed