Bill113th Congress

H.R. 301

To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia.

Ask AI
Introduced
Jan 15, 2013
Origin Chamber
House
Policy Area
International Affairs
Latest Action
Sep 19, 2013

Sponsor

Rep. Wolf, Frank R. [R-VA-10]

Republican·VA-10
Bioguide ID: W000672
First Name: FRANK
Middle Name: R.
Last Name: WOLF
By Request: N
72
Cosponsors
2
Committees
15
Actions
0
Amendments
1
Related Bills
14
Subjects
2
Summaries
2
Titles
3
Text Versions

Bill Details

Update Date
Jan 11, 2023
Origin Chamber
House
Bill Type
HR
Bill Number
301
Congress
113
Introduced Date
Jan 15, 2013
Policy Area
International Affairs
Is Law
No
Sep 19, 2013IntroReferral

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

Source: Senate

Sep 18, 2013FloorH37300

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 - 22 (Roll no. 465). (text: CR 9/17/2013 H5564-5565)

Source: House floor actions

Sep 18, 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): 402 - 22 (Roll no. 465).(text: CR 9/17/2013 H5564-5565)

Source: Library of Congress

Sep 18, 2013FloorH30000

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5606)

Source: House floor actions

Sep 17, 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

Sep 17, 2013FloorH8D000

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 301.

Source: House floor actions

Sep 17, 2013FloorH30000

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5564-5567)

Source: House floor actions

Sep 17, 2013FloorH30300

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

Source: House floor actions

Mar 15, 2013Committee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Middle East and North Africa.

Source: House committee actions

Mar 15, 2013Committee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

Source: House committee actions

Mar 15, 2013Committee

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

Source: House committee actions

Jan 15, 2013IntroReferralH11100

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Source: House floor actions

Jan 15, 2013IntroReferralB00100

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E31)

Source: Library of Congress

Jan 15, 2013IntroReferralIntro-H

Introduced in House

Source: Library of Congress

Jan 15, 2013IntroReferral1000

Introduced in House

Source: Library of Congress

Introduced in House· Jan 15, 20130

Directs the President to appoint a Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia within the Department of State.

Requires the Special Envoy to: (1) promote the right of religious freedom of religious minorities in the countries of the Near East and South Central Asia, denounce the violation of such right, and recommend appropriate U.S government responses to such violations; (2) monitor and combat acts of religious intolerance and incitement targeted against such religious minorities; (3) ensure that the needs of such religious minority communities are addressed, including economic and security needs directly tied to religious-based discrimination and persecution; (4) work with foreign governments of such countries to address inherently discriminatory laws; and (5) coordinate and assist in the preparation of specified reports required by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.

Authorizes the Special Envoy, subject to direction by the President and the Secretary of State, to represent the United States in matters and cases relevant to religious freedom in: (1) contacts with foreign governments, intergovernmental organizations, and specialized agencies of the United Nations (U.N.), the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe, and other international organizations; and (2) multilateral conferences and meetings relevant to religious freedom.

Requires the Special Envoy to give priority to programs, projects, and activities for Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

Declares that this Act shall cease to be effective on October 1, 2018.

Passed House amended· Sep 18, 201336

(Sec. 2) Directs the President to appoint a Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia within the Department of State. Requires the Special Envoy to have the rank of ambassador.

(Sec. 3) Requires the Special Envoy to: (1) promote the right of religious freedom of religious minorities in the countries of the Near East and South Central Asia, denounce the violation of such right, and recommend appropriate U.S government responses to such violations; (2) monitor and combat acts of religious intolerance and incitement targeted against such religious minorities; (3) ensure that the needs of such religious minority communities are addressed, including economic and security needs directly tied to religious-based discrimination and persecution; (4) work with foreign governments of such countries to address inherently discriminatory laws; and (5) coordinate and assist in the preparation of specified reports required by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.

(Sec. 4) Authorizes the Special Envoy, subject to direction by the President and the Secretary of State, to represent the United States in matters and cases relevant to religious freedom in: (1) contacts with foreign governments, intergovernmental organizations, and specialized agencies of the United Nations (U.N.), the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe, and other international organizations; and (2) multilateral conferences and meetings relevant to religious freedom.

(Sec. 5) Requires the Special Envoy to give priority to programs, projects, and activities for Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

(Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to eliminate certain positions within the State Department as necessary to offset the costs of carrying out this Act.

(Sec. 7) Declares that this Act shall cease to be effective on October 1, 2018.

Foreign Relations Committee

Senate· Standing

Foreign Affairs Committee

House· Standing
AfghanistanAfricaAsiaDepartment of StateDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadEgyptExecutive agency funding and structureFederal officialsHuman rightsIranIraqMiddle EastPakistanReligion

Referred in Senate

Sep 19, 2013

Engrossed in House

Sep 18, 2013

Introduced in House

Jan 15, 2013

To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Reli… — Informed