H.R. 1897 · 113th Congress
Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2013
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16 cosponsors · 8 D, 8 R
4 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.
- House Introduced May 8, 2013
- House Passed Aug 1, 2013 405–3
Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2013 - Prohibits U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to the government of Vietnam in excess of FY2012 amounts unless the President certifies to Congress that the government of Vietnam has made substantial progress respecting political, media, and religious freedoms, minority rights, access to U.S.
What it does: CRS summary · Passed House amended · Aug 1, 2013
Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2013 - Prohibits U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to the government of Vietnam in excess of FY2012 amounts unless the President certifies to Congress that the government of Vietnam has made substantial progress respecting political, media, and religious freedoms, minority rights, access to U.S. refugee programs, return of confiscated religious estates and property, and actions to end trafficking in persons and the release of political prisoners.
Authorizes the President to waive such requirements if increased U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance would promote the purposes of this Act or is otherwise in the U.S. national interest. Allows the President to waive such authority with respect to: (1) all U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to Vietnam; or (2) one or more programs, projects, or activities of such assistance.
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1)the United States should take measures to overcome the jamming of Radio Free Asia by Vietnam and that the Broadcasting Board of Governors should not cut staffing, funding, or broadcast hours for the Vietnamese language services of the Voice of America and Radio Free Asia; (2) U.S.-Vietnam educational and cultural exchange programs should promote freedom and democracy in Vietnam; (3) the Secretary of State should oppose Vietnam's candidacy for membership on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC); (4) Vietnam should be designated as a country of particular concern for religious freedom; and (5) Vietnam does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance.
Directs the President to report annually to Congress regarding Vietnam's compliance with the provisions of this Act.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
Votes to become law
About this bill and sources
Official title: Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2013
Latest action (Sep 9, 2013): Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Policy area: International Affairs · Origin: House · Introduced: May 8, 2013
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML) · Embed in your story
- House Introduced May 8, 2013
- House Passed Aug 1, 2013 405–3
Final vote · House · Aug 1, 2013
Passage (two-thirds required) — Passed. Vote details
Speaker of the House: John A. Boehner