H.R. 440 · 112th Congress
To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in…
Full title
To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia.
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80 cosponsors · 36 D, 44 R
5 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.
- House Introduced Jan 25, 2011
- House Passed Jul 29, 2011 402–20
What it does: CRS summary · Passed House amended · Jul 29, 2011
(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.
(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, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
(Sec. 6) Authorizes, from amounts available for Diplomatic and Consular Programs, $1 million to be appropriated each fiscal year from FY2011-FY2015. Provides that no additional funds are authorized to be appropriated for such Programs to carry out this Act.
Directs the Secretary, unless otherwise authorized or required by law, to eliminate positions within the Department as necessary to offset the costs to be incurred for hiring staff, conducting investigations, and for the necessary travel to carry out this Act.
(Sec. 7) Declares that this Act shall cease to be effective on October 1, 2015.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
Votes to become law
About this bill and sources
Official title: To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia.
Latest action (Jan 23, 2012): Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 292.
Policy area: International Affairs · Origin: House · Introduced: Jan 25, 2011
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML) · Embed in your story
- House Introduced Jan 25, 2011
- House Passed Jul 29, 2011 402–20
Final vote · House · Jul 29, 2011
Passage (two-thirds required) — Passed. Vote details
Speaker of the House: John A. Boehner