S. 653 · 113th Congress
Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act of 2014
Law · 113-161 · Aug 8, 2014Key: what the circles and colors mean
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Became law without a recorded vote. It passed by voice vote or unanimous consent, which don't record how each member voted.
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BluntSponsor22 cosponsors · 5 D, 17 R
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Blumenthal
CL
D
Levin
JB
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Boozman
DS
D
Stabenow
MJ
R
Johanns
DC
R
Coats
MR
R
Rubio
TS
R
Scott
MC
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Crapo
SC
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Collins
JM
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Moran
RW
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Wicker
JC
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Cornyn
JS
R
Sessions
PR
R
Roberts
MP
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Pryor
TK
D
Kaine
ME
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Enzi
MK
R
Kirk
PT
R
Toomey
TC
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Cruz
RP
R
Portman2 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.
- Senate Introduced Mar 22, 2013
- Senate Passed Jul 10, 2014
- House Passed Jul 25, 2014
- President To the President Jul 29, 2014
- President Signed Aug 8, 2014
- Law Aug 8, 2014
Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act of 2014 - (Sec. 2) Authorizes 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.
What it does: CRS summary · Public Law · Aug 8, 2014
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on July 10, 2014. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act of 2014 - (Sec. 2) Authorizes 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) Provides for the Special Envoy to consult, as appropriate, with domestic and international nongovernmental organizations and multilateral organizations and institutions.
(Sec. 6) Terminates this Act on October 1, 2019.
(Sec. 7) Authorizes the Secretary of State to provide specified amounts to the Special Envoy from amounts appropriated for FY2015-FY2019.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
About this bill and sources
Official title: Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act of 2014
Also known as: Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act of 2013
Latest action (Aug 8, 2014): Became Public Law No: 113-161.
Policy area: International Affairs · Origin: Senate · Introduced: Mar 22, 2013
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)
- Senate Introduced Mar 22, 2013
- Senate Passed Jul 10, 2014
- House Passed Jul 25, 2014
- President To the President Jul 29, 2014
- President Signed Aug 8, 2014
- Law Aug 8, 2014
No recorded floor vote found.