H.R. 4142 · 118th Congress
CCP Wrongful Death Accountability Act of 2023
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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 118th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.
No cosponsors.
This bill authorizes certain private lawsuits against the Chinese government for harm resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the bill authorizes a case to be brought by (1) a U.S. national if their immediate relative died of COVID-19 (i.e., wrongful death), or (2) a U.S. citizen for harm suffered by the citizen.
What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in House · Jun 15, 2023
CCP Wrongful Death Accountability Act of 2023
This bill authorizes certain private lawsuits against the Chinese government for harm resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the bill authorizes a case to be brought by (1) a U.S. national if their immediate relative died of COVID-19 (i.e., wrongful death), or (2) a U.S. citizen for harm suffered by the citizen. The harms for which a citizen may seek damages include, but are not limited to, expenditures for overtime wages paid to frontline workers, vaccine or medical equipment purchases, and research and development costs.
Such a case must be brought in a U.S. district court. If the Chinese government fails to pay a judgment under one of these provisions within one year, the plaintiff may obtain a court order directing the federal government to pay the amount owed. If the federal government is ordered to pay the judgment, the federal government must deduct an equivalent amount from (1) any interest or debt owed by the United States to China, or (2) any amounts made available to provide U.S. assistance to China.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
About this bill and sources
Official title: CCP Wrongful Death Accountability Act of 2023
Latest action (Jun 15, 2023): Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Policy area: International Affairs · Origin: House · Introduced: Jun 15, 2023
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)
No recorded floor vote found.