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Bill117th CongressFiled Oct 5, 2021International Affairs
H.R. 5497

BURMA Act of 2021

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house (Apr 6, 2022)

Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2022 or the BURMA Act of 2022

This bill imposes sanctions pertaining to Burma (Myanmar) and addresses related issues.

The President must impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions on certain foreign persons (i.e., an individual or entity), including those that (1) knowingly operate in Burma's defense sector, (2) are responsible for or complicit in undermining Burma's democratic processes, or (3) are senior leaders in Burma's military or government. The Department of the Treasury must prohibit or impose strict conditions on certain accounts used to facilitate transactions for such sanctioned persons.

The President may impose sanctions on Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise if such sanctions would support certain objectives, including reducing the Burmese military's ability to undermine democracy in Burma.

Before removing certain foreign persons from a list of specially designated nationals and blocked persons (commonly known as the SDN list), the President must certify to Congress that the person in question has not knowingly engaged in certain activities, such as supporting terrorism.

The bill authorizes Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development activities in Burma and the surrounding region to support democracy activists, humanitarian assistance, and reconciliation efforts. The State Department may (1) continue to assist organizations supporting political prisoners in Burma, and (2) provide assistance to entities investigating crimes against humanity.

The President must direct U.S. representatives to the United Nations to vote and advocate for certain actions related to Burma, such as cutting off assistance to Burma's government.

What just happenedApr 7, 2022

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

Who’s behind it

Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5](D-NY)Sponsor
84 cosponsors66 D18 R
Read on Congress.gov
84cosponsors5committees16actions1related bills45subjects
  1. Apr 7, 2022IntroReferral

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

    Foreign Relations Committee
  2. Apr 6, 2022FloorH38310

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

  3. Apr 6, 2022FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4204-4209)

  4. Apr 6, 2022Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H4204-4209)

  5. Apr 6, 2022FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5497.

  6. Apr 6, 2022FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4204-4212)

  7. Apr 6, 2022FloorH30300

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

  8. Oct 21, 2021Committee

    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  9. Oct 21, 2021Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  10. Oct 5, 2021Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.

    Trade Subcommittee
  11. Oct 5, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, and Ways and Means, 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
  12. Oct 5, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, and Ways and Means, 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
  13. Oct 5, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, and Ways and Means, 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. Oct 5, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, and Ways and Means, 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. Oct 5, 2021IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  16. Oct 5, 2021IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed HouseApr 6, 202253

Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2022 or the BURMA Act of 2022

This bill imposes sanctions pertaining to Burma (Myanmar) and addresses related issues.

The President must impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions on certain foreign persons (i.e., an individual or entity), including those that (1) knowingly operate in Burma's defense sector, (2) are responsible for or complicit in undermining Burma's democratic processes, or (3) are senior leaders in Burma's military or government. The Department of the Treasury must prohibit or impose strict conditions on certain accounts used to facilitate transactions for such sanctioned persons.

The President may impose sanctions on Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise if such sanctions would support certain objectives, including reducing the Burmese military's ability to undermine democracy in Burma.

Before removing certain foreign persons from a list of specially designated nationals and blocked persons (commonly known as the SDN list), the President must certify to Congress that the person in question has not knowingly engaged in certain activities, such as supporting terrorism.

The bill authorizes Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development activities in Burma and the surrounding region to support democracy activists, humanitarian assistance, and reconciliation efforts. The State Department may (1) continue to assist organizations supporting political prisoners in Burma, and (2) provide assistance to entities investigating crimes against humanity.

The President must direct U.S. representatives to the United Nations to vote and advocate for certain actions related to Burma, such as cutting off assistance to Burma's government.

Introduced in HouseOct 5, 2021

Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2021 or the BURMA Act of 2021

This bill imposes sanctions pertaining to Burma (Myanmar) and addresses related issues.

The President must impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions on certain foreign persons (i.e., an individual or entity), including those that (1) knowingly operate in Burma's defense sector, (2) are responsible for or complicit in undermining Burma's democratic processes, or (3) are senior leaders in Burma's military or government. The Department of the Treasury must prohibit or impose strict conditions on certain accounts used to facilitate transactions for such sanctioned persons.

The President may impose sanctions on Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise if such sanctions would support certain objectives, including reducing the Burmese military's ability to undermine democracy in Burma. The President may also prohibit imports of precious and semiprecious gemstones from Burma.

Before removing certain foreign persons from a list of specially designated nationals and blocked persons (commonly known as the SDN list), the President must certify to Congress that the person in question has not knowingly engaged in certain activities, such as supporting terrorism.

The bill authorizes Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development activities in Burma and the surrounding region to support democracy activists, humanitarian assistance, and reconciliation efforts. The State Department may (1) continue to assist organizations supporting political prisoners in Burma, and (2) provide assistance to entities investigating crimes against humanity.

The President must direct U.S. representatives to the United Nations to vote and advocate for certain actions related to Burma, such as cutting off assistance to Burma's government.

BURMA Act of 2021 — Informed