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Bill115th CongressFiled Jul 28, 2017International Affairs
H.R. 3542

Hamas Human Shields Prevention Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house amended (Feb 14, 2018)

Hamas Human Shields Prevention Act

(Sec. 3) This bill states that it is U.S. policy to condemn Hamas's use of human shields and act against those engaging in or supporting the use of human shields.

(Sec. 4) The President is urged to direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations (U.N.) to use U.S. influence at the Security Council to secure support for a resolution: (1) imposing multilateral sanctions against Hamas's use of human shields; and (2) specifying steps to prevent, and consequences for, the use of U.N. employees as human shields or facilities that enable that use.

(Sec. 5) The President shall prohibit property transactions and U.S. entry (and revoke current visas) with respect to: (1) each foreign person or entity that is a member of or acting on behalf of Hamas and that is responsible for or complicit in Hamas's unlawful attempt to use civilians, civilian property, or other protected persons to shield military objectives from lawful attack; and (2) each foreign person or entity and each agency or instrumentality of a foreign state that has significantly facilitated or attempted to facilitate such an act.

The President may waive a sanction for 180 days with prior congressional certification that such waiver is in U.S. national security interests.

What just happenedFeb 15, 2018

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

Who’s behind it

Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2](R-SC)Sponsor
21 cosponsors7 D14 R
Read on Congress.gov
21cosponsors3committees16actions1related bills9subjects
  1. Feb 15, 2018IntroReferral

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

    Foreign Relations Committee
  2. Feb 14, 2018FloorH38800

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

  3. Feb 14, 2018FloorH38310

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

  4. Feb 14, 2018FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 415 - 0 (Roll no. 74). (text: CR 2/13/2018 H1083-1084)

  5. Feb 14, 2018Floor8000

    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): 415 - 0 (Roll no. 74).(text: CR 2/13/2018 H1083-1084)

  6. Feb 14, 2018FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1146)

  7. Feb 13, 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.

  8. Feb 13, 2018FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3542.

  9. Feb 13, 2018FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1083-1087)

  10. Feb 13, 2018FloorH30300

    Mr. Wilson (SC) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  11. Nov 15, 2017Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  12. Nov 15, 2017Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  13. Jul 28, 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
  14. Jul 28, 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
  15. Jul 28, 2017IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  16. Jul 28, 2017IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedFeb 14, 201836

Hamas Human Shields Prevention Act

(Sec. 3) This bill states that it is U.S. policy to condemn Hamas's use of human shields and act against those engaging in or supporting the use of human shields.

(Sec. 4) The President is urged to direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations (U.N.) to use U.S. influence at the Security Council to secure support for a resolution: (1) imposing multilateral sanctions against Hamas's use of human shields; and (2) specifying steps to prevent, and consequences for, the use of U.N. employees as human shields or facilities that enable that use.

(Sec. 5) The President shall prohibit property transactions and U.S. entry (and revoke current visas) with respect to: (1) each foreign person or entity that is a member of or acting on behalf of Hamas and that is responsible for or complicit in Hamas's unlawful attempt to use civilians, civilian property, or other protected persons to shield military objectives from lawful attack; and (2) each foreign person or entity and each agency or instrumentality of a foreign state that has significantly facilitated or attempted to facilitate such an act.

The President may waive a sanction for 180 days with prior congressional certification that such waiver is in U.S. national security interests.

Introduced in HouseJul 28, 2017

Hamas Human Shields Prevention Act

This bill states that it is U.S. policy to: (1) condemn the use of human shields by Hamas as an act of terrorism and a violation of human rights and international humanitarian law, and (2) act against those engaging in or supporting the use of human shields.

The President is urged to direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations (U.N.) to use U.S. influence at the U.N. Security Council to secure support for a resolution imposing multilateral sanctions against Hamas's use of human shields.

The President shall prohibit property transactions and U.S. entry with respect to: (1) each foreign person or entity that is a member of or acting on behalf of Hamas and that is responsible for or complicit in Hamas' use of human shields; and (2) each foreign person or entity and each agency or instrumentality of a foreign state that has significantly facilitated any act with respect to such use of human shields, provided material support to a listed person or entity, or attempted to facilitate or support such acts or persons.

The President may waive a sanction for 120 days with prior congressional certification that such waiver is vital to U.S. national security interests.

Hamas Human Shields Prevention Act — Informed