Bill113th Congress

H.R. 1897

Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2013

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Introduced
May 8, 2013
Origin Chamber
House
Policy Area
International Affairs
Latest Action
Sep 9, 2013

Sponsor

Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]

Republican·NJ-4
Bioguide ID: S000522
First Name: CHRISTOPHER
Middle Name: H.
Last Name: SMITH
By Request: N
16
Cosponsors
2
Committees
19
Actions
0
Amendments
1
Related Bills
22
Subjects
2
Summaries
4
Titles
3
Text Versions

Bill Details

Update Date
Jan 11, 2023
Origin Chamber
House
Bill Type
HR
Bill Number
1,897
Congress
113
Introduced Date
May 8, 2013
Policy Area
International Affairs
Is Law
No
Sep 9, 2013IntroReferral

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

Source: Senate

Aug 1, 2013FloorH38310

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

Source: House floor actions

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)

Source: House floor actions

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)

Source: Library of Congress

Aug 1, 2013FloorH30000

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

Source: House floor actions

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.

Source: House floor actions

Jul 31, 2013FloorH8D000

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

Source: House floor actions

Jul 31, 2013FloorH30000

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

Source: House floor actions

Jul 31, 2013FloorH30300

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

Source: House floor actions

Jun 27, 2013Committee

Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.

Source: House committee actions

Jun 27, 2013Committee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Source: House committee actions

Jun 7, 2013Committee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

Source: House committee actions

Jun 6, 2013IntroReferralB00100

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

Source: Library of Congress

May 15, 2013Committee

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Unanimous Consent .

Source: House committee actions

May 15, 2013Committee

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Source: House committee actions

May 8, 2013Committee

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

Source: House committee actions

May 8, 2013IntroReferralH11100

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Source: House floor actions

May 8, 2013IntroReferralIntro-H

Introduced in House

Source: Library of Congress

May 8, 2013IntroReferral1000

Introduced in House

Source: Library of Congress

Introduced in House· May 8, 20130

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.

Passed House amended· Aug 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.

Foreign Relations Committee

Senate· Standing

Foreign Affairs Committee

House· Standing
Area studies and international educationAsiaCongressional oversightCultural exchanges and relationsDetention of personsForeign aid and international reliefForeign language and bilingual programsHuman rightsHuman traffickingInternational exchange and broadcastingInternational law and treatiesInternational organizations and cooperationNews media and reportingPolitical movements and philosophiesProperty rightsProtest and dissentRacial and ethnic relationsRefugees, asylum, displaced personsReligionRule of law and government transparencyUnited NationsVietnam

Referred in Senate

Sep 9, 2013

Engrossed in House

Aug 1, 2013

Introduced in House

May 8, 2013

Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2013 — Informed