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Bill116th CongressFiled Oct 16, 2019International Affairs
H.R. 4695

PACT Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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Law

What it doesSummary passed house (Oct 29, 2019)

Protect Against Conflict by Turkey Act or the PACT Act

This bill addresses Turkey's military invasion of northern Syria.

The President shall impose visa- and asset-blocking sanctions on specific Turkish officials connected to the invasion. The Department of State shall report on (1) other Turkish officials involved with the invasion; and (2) foreign persons that knowingly provided defense articles, services, or technology to Turkey that could be used in the invasion. Such foreign persons shall also be subject to visa- and asset-blocking sanctions.

The President shall impose financial sanctions on the large Turkish state-owned bank known as Halkbank and on any foreign financial institutions that the State Department determines to have knowingly facilitated significant transactions for the Turkish Armed Forces or Turkey's defense industry related to the invasion.

The President shall impose sanctions on Turkey's government pursuant to the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.

A U.S. defense article, service, or technology may not be transferred to Turkey's government if it (1) is covered under the Arms Export Control Act, and (2) may be used by Turkey in military operations in northern Syria. The President may not exercise certain emergency waiver authority in relation to this prohibition.

Certain Syrians, including Syrian Kurds who have partnered with the U.S. government in Syria, shall be (1) designated as Priority 2 refugees of special humanitarian concern, and (2) exempt from various numerical limitations under immigration law.

The bill calls for various reports, including on (1) the national-security impact of the invasion, and (2) the net worth of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and his family.

What just happenedOct 30, 2019

Received in the Senate.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-16](D-NY)Sponsor
104 cosponsors64 D40 R
Read on Congress.gov
104cosponsors6committees17actions1related bills36subjects
  1. Oct 30, 2019IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate.

  2. Oct 29, 2019FloorH38310

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

  3. Oct 29, 2019FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 403 - 16 (Roll no. 592). (text: CR H8568-8571)

  4. Oct 29, 2019Floor8000

    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): 403 - 16 (Roll no. 592).(text: CR H8568-8571)

  5. Oct 29, 2019FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H8584-8585)

  6. Oct 29, 2019FloorH37220

    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.

  7. Oct 29, 2019FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4695.

  8. Oct 29, 2019FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8568-8576)

  9. Oct 29, 2019FloorH30300

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

  10. Oct 16, 2019IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Oversight and Reform, Ways and Means, the Judiciary, and Armed Services, 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.

    Armed Services Committee
  11. Oct 16, 2019IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Oversight and Reform, Ways and Means, the Judiciary, and Armed Services, 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
  12. Oct 16, 2019IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Oversight and Reform, Ways and Means, the Judiciary, and Armed Services, 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.

    Ways and Means Committee
  13. Oct 16, 2019IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Oversight and Reform, Ways and Means, the Judiciary, and Armed Services, 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.

    Oversight and Accountability Committee
  14. Oct 16, 2019IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Oversight and Reform, Ways and Means, the Judiciary, and Armed Services, 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.

    Financial Services Committee
  15. Oct 16, 2019IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Oversight and Reform, Ways and Means, the Judiciary, and Armed Services, 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
  16. Oct 16, 2019IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  17. Oct 16, 2019IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed HouseOct 29, 201953

Protect Against Conflict by Turkey Act or the PACT Act

This bill addresses Turkey's military invasion of northern Syria.

The President shall impose visa- and asset-blocking sanctions on specific Turkish officials connected to the invasion. The Department of State shall report on (1) other Turkish officials involved with the invasion; and (2) foreign persons that knowingly provided defense articles, services, or technology to Turkey that could be used in the invasion. Such foreign persons shall also be subject to visa- and asset-blocking sanctions.

The President shall impose financial sanctions on the large Turkish state-owned bank known as Halkbank and on any foreign financial institutions that the State Department determines to have knowingly facilitated significant transactions for the Turkish Armed Forces or Turkey's defense industry related to the invasion.

The President shall impose sanctions on Turkey's government pursuant to the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.

A U.S. defense article, service, or technology may not be transferred to Turkey's government if it (1) is covered under the Arms Export Control Act, and (2) may be used by Turkey in military operations in northern Syria. The President may not exercise certain emergency waiver authority in relation to this prohibition.

Certain Syrians, including Syrian Kurds who have partnered with the U.S. government in Syria, shall be (1) designated as Priority 2 refugees of special humanitarian concern, and (2) exempt from various numerical limitations under immigration law.

The bill calls for various reports, including on (1) the national-security impact of the invasion, and (2) the net worth of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and his family.

Introduced in HouseOct 16, 2019

Protect Against Conflict by Turkey Act or the PACT Act

This bill imposes sanctions and various restrictions related to Turkey's military invasion of northern Syria.

The President shall impose visa- and asset-blocking sanctions on specific Turkish officials connected to the invasion, including Turkey's Minister of National Defense. The Department of State shall report to the President and Congress as to (1) other Turkish officials involved with the invasion; and (2) foreign persons that knowingly provided defense articles, services, or technology to Turkey that could be used in the invasion of northern Syria. Such foreign persons shall also be subject to visa- and asset-blocking sanctions.

The President shall impose financial sanctions on the large Turkish state-owned bank known as Halk Bankasi or Halkbank and on any financial institutions that the State Department determines to have knowingly facilitated significant transactions for the Turkish Armed Forces or Turkey's defense industry related to the invasion.

The President shall impose sanctions on Turkey's government pursuant to the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.

A U.S. defense article, service, or technology may not be transferred to Turkey's government if it (1) is covered under the Arms Export Control Act, and (2) may be used by Turkey in military operations in northern Syria. The President may not exercise certain emergency waiver authority related to the Arms Export Control Act in relation to this prohibition.

The bill calls for reports on (1) the national security impact of the invasion and, (2) the net worth of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and his family.

PACT Act — Informed