H.R. 2242 · 114th Congress
World Press Freedom Protection Act of 2015
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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 114th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.
R
SmithSponsor3 cosponsors · 2 D, 1 R
2 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.
This bill authorizes the President to impose U.S. admissibility sanctions against a foreign person who:
What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in House · May 5, 2015
World Press Freedom Protection Act of 2015
This bill authorizes the President to impose U.S. admissibility sanctions against a foreign person who:
- is responsible for severe restrictions on the freedom of expression or freedom of the press; or
- has materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, such an activity.
The President may waive such sanctions if in U.S. national security interests, and terminate them under specified conditions.
Sanctions shall not apply if necessary to comply with the Agreement between the United Nations (U.N.) and the United States regarding the U.N. Headquarters or other applicable international obligations of the United States.
The President shall report to Congress annually regarding each foreign person sanctioned, and the dates and reason for the imposition of any sanctions.
It should be U.S. policy to respond strongly to the growing number of restrictions, arrests, killings, and visa delays or denials faced by foreign journalists and their domestic employees.
An executive of a foreign state-owned media organization who is applying for a nonimmigrant I-visa (foreign media representative) shall be refused the visa if any U.S. journalist or news organization personnel were expelled, had visas denied, or faced violence in the course of working in such foreign state during the previous fiscal year.
Annual country reports of human rights practices under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 shall now include information about the country's practices with respect to foreign journalists and their domestic personnel.
It is the sense of Congress that:
- restrictions on journalists and media websites and Internet censorship are significant foreign trade barriers;
- the United States Trade Representative should include a list of blocked U.S. websites in its annual report on foreign trade barriers; and
- the United States should pursue disputes to end foreign blockage of U.S. websites at the World Trade Organization.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
About this bill and sources
Official title: World Press Freedom Protection Act of 2015
Latest action (Jun 1, 2015): Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
Policy area: International Affairs · Origin: House · Introduced: May 5, 2015
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)
No recorded floor vote found.