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[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4695 Engrossed in House (EH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 4695

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT

 
  To impose sanctions with respect to Turkey, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Protect Against Conflict by Turkey 
Act'' or the ``PACT Act''.

SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the United States and Turkey have been treaty allies 
        since 1952, when Turkey became a member of the North Atlantic 
        Treaty Organization (NATO);
            (2) being a NATO member means that Turkey is treaty bound 
        to safeguard the principles of democracy, individual liberty, 
        and the rule of law and, importantly, should be united with 
        other NATO allies in efforts for collective defense and the 
        preservation of peace and security;
            (3) Turkey's military invasion of northern Syria on October 
        9, 2019, is an unacceptable and unnecessary escalation of 
        tensions with the potential to cause a severe humanitarian 
        crisis and undo the collective gains made in the fight against 
        the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) by the United States 
        and the 81 countries and organizations of the Global Coalition 
        to Defeat ISIS, including NATO and the European Union (EU);
            (4) Turkey should immediately cease attacks against the 
        Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Kurdish and Arab civilians, and 
        other religious and ethnic minority communities in northern 
        Syria and recall its forces back to Turkey;
            (5) targeted sanctions against Turkey are an appropriate 
        response in order for Turkey to be held accountable for its 
        military invasion of northern Syria;
            (6) Turkey's military invasion of northern Syria is the 
        latest example of the weakening and problematic United States-
        Turkey bilateral relationship and undermines the security of 
        the United States and its NATO allies, including that of 
        Turkey;
            (7) the SDF have been critical partners to United States 
        and allied counter-ISIS and broader counterterrorism efforts in 
        Syria, and the United States should continue this partnership 
        with the SDF;
            (8) the United States Government should utilize diplomatic 
        and military tools to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS;
            (9) the United States should stand by critical allies and 
        partners;
            (10) Russian and Iranian political and military influence 
        in Syria present a threat to United States national security 
        interests; and
            (11) the United States Government, in concert with the 
        international community, should hold accountable members of the 
        Syrian regime and the Governments of the Russian Federation and 
        Iran for atrocities against the Syrian people.

SEC. 3. SANCTIONS AGAINST SENIOR TURKISH OFFICIALS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 15 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the President shall impose the sanctions 
described in section 14 with respect to the following foreign persons 
in connection with Turkey's military invasion of northern Syria on 
October 9, 2019:
            (1) The Minister of National Defense of Turkey.
            (2) The Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed 
        Forces.
            (3) The Commander of the 2nd Army of the Turkish Armed 
        Forces.
            (4) The Minister of Treasury and Finance of Turkey.
    (b) Additional Sanctions.--
            (1) List.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation 
        with the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National 
        Intelligence, shall submit to the President and appropriate 
        congressional committees a list of the following foreign 
        persons in connection with Turkey's military invasion of 
        northern Syria on October 9, 2019:
                    (A) Senior Turkish defense officials involved in 
                the decision to invade northern Syria.
                    (B) Senior Turkish military officials leading 
                attacks against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), 
                Kurdish and Arab civilians, or other religious or 
                ethnic minority communities in northern Syria.
                    (C) Turkish officials significantly facilitating 
                Turkey's military invasion of northern Syria.
                    (D) Any Turkish official or member of the Turkish 
                Armed Forces who is responsible for, complicit in, or 
                has directly or indirectly engaged, or has attempted to 
                engage, in any of the following relating to Turkey's 
                military invasion of northern Syria:
                            (i) A violation of the law of armed 
                        conflict.
                            (ii) A gross violation of internationally 
                        recognized human rights.
            (2) Updates.--The list required under paragraph (1) shall 
        be updated every 60 days, until the sanctions under this 
        section are terminated in accordance with section 7.
            (3) Imposition of sanctions.--Not later than 15 days after 
        submission of the list required under paragraph (1) and each 
        update relating thereto in accordance with paragraph (2), the 
        President shall impose the sanctions described in section 14 
        with respect to foreign persons identified in such list and 
        related updates.
    (c) Waiver.--
            (1) In general.--The President may waive, on a case-by-case 
        basis and for a period of not more than 90 days, the imposition 
        of sanctions under this section with respect to a foreign 
        person if the President--
                    (A) determines that--
                            (i) it is vital to the national security 
                        interests of the United States to do so; and
                            (ii) Turkey--
                                    (I) has halted attacks against the 
                                SDF, Kurdish and Arab civilians, and 
                                other religious and ethnic minority 
                                communities in northern Syria; and
                                    (II) is not hindering counter-
                                terrorism operations against ISIS; and
                    (B) not later than 15 days before issuing such a 
                waiver, submits to the appropriate congressional 
                committees a justification relating to such 
                determination.
            (2) Renewal of waivers.--The President may, on a case-by-
        case basis, renew a waiver under paragraph (1) for an 
        additional period of not more than 90 days if, not later than 
        15 days before such a waiver expires, the President determines 
        it is vital to the national security interests of the United 
        States to do so and submits to the appropriate congressional 
        committees a justification relating to such determination.

SEC. 4. PROHIBITION ON ARMS TRANSFERS TO TURKISH MILITARY UNITS IN 
              SYRIA.

    (a) Prohibition.--No United States defense articles, defense 
services, or technology under the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 
2751 et seq.) may be transferred to the Government of Turkey if such 
articles, services, or technology could be used in operations by the 
Turkish Armed Forces in northern Syria.
    (b) Exception.--The prohibition under subsection (a) shall not 
apply to transfers for ultimate end use by the United States military 
or for use in military operations approved by the North Atlantic Treaty 
Organization.
    (c) No Use of Emergency Authority.--The authority of the President 
to waive statutory congressional review periods under the Arms Export 
Control Act in cases in which an emergency exists shall not apply to 
the transfer of defense articles, defense services, or technology to 
the Government of Turkey.

SEC. 5. SANCTIONS AGAINST FOREIGN PERSONS PROVIDING ARMS TO TURKISH 
              ARMED FORCES IN SYRIA.

    (a) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in 
        consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Director of 
        National Intelligence, shall submit to the President and 
        appropriate congressional committees a list of any foreign 
        persons determined to knowingly have provided, on or after such 
        date of enactment, defense articles, defense services, or 
        technology (as such terms are defined and described in the Arms 
        Export Control Act) to the Government of Turkey if such 
        articles, services, or technology could be used in operations 
        by the Turkish Armed Forces in northern Syria.
            (2) Updates.--The list required under paragraph (1) shall 
        be updated every 60 days or as new information becomes 
        available, until the sanctions under this section are 
        terminated in accordance with section 7.
    (b) Imposition of Sanctions.--The President shall impose the 
sanctions described in section 14 with respect to any foreign persons 
identified on the list and related updates required under subsection 
(a).
    (c) Exception.--The sanctions imposed pursuant to this section 
shall not apply to transfers for ultimate end use by the United States 
military or for use in military operations approved by the North 
Atlantic Treaty Organization.
    (d) Waiver.--
            (1) In general.--The President may waive, on a case-by-case 
        basis and for a period of not more than 90 days, the imposition 
        of sanctions under this section with respect to a foreign 
        person if the President determines it is important to the 
        national security interests of the United States to do so and, 
        not later than 15 days before issuing such a waiver, submits to 
        the appropriate congressional committees a justification 
        relating to such determination.
            (2) Renewal of waivers.--The President may, on a case-by-
        case basis, renew a waiver under paragraph (1) for an 
        additional period of not more than 90 days if, not later than 
        15 days before such a waiver expires, the President determines 
        it is important to the national security interests of the 
        United States to do so and submits to the appropriate 
        congressional committees a justification relating to such 
        determination.

SEC. 6. TARGETED FOREIGN FINANCIAL SANCTIONS.

    (a) Halk Bankasi or Halkbank.--Not later than 15 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the President shall impose the sanctions 
described in section 14(1) with respect to Halk Bankas( or Halkbank or 
any successor entity thereof.
    (b) Financial Institutions.--
            (1) In general.--If the Secretary of State, in consultation 
        with the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Treasury, and 
        Director of National Intelligence, determines that any foreign 
        financial institution, in addition to the foreign financial 
        institutions specified in subsection (a), has knowingly 
        facilitated significant transactions for the Turkish Armed 
        Forces or defense industry relating to Turkey's military 
        invasion of northern Syria on October 9, 2019, the President 
        shall, not later than 60 days after any such determination, 
        impose the sanctions described in section 14(1) with respect to 
        any such foreign financial institution.
            (2) Waiver.--
                    (A) In general.--The President may waive, on a 
                case-by-case basis and for a period of not more than 90 
                days, the imposition of sanctions under this subsection 
                if the President--
                            (i) determines that--
                                    (I) it is vital to the national 
                                security interests of the United States 
                                to do so; and
                                    (II) Turkey--
                                            (aa) has halted attacks 
                                        against the Syrian Democratic 
                                        Forces, Kurdish and Arab 
                                        civilians, and other religious 
                                        and ethnic minority communities 
                                        in northern Syria; and
                                            (bb) is not hindering 
                                        counter-terrorism operations 
                                        against ISIS; and
                            (ii) not later than 15 days before issuing 
                        such a waiver, submits to the appropriate 
                        congressional committees a justification 
                        relating to such determination.
                    (B) Renewal of waivers.--The President may, on a 
                case-by-case basis, renew a waiver under subparagraph 
                (A) for an additional period of not more than 90 days 
                if, not later than 15 days before such a waiver 
                expires, the President determines it is vital to the 
                national security interests of the United States to do 
                so and submits to the appropriate congressional 
                committees a justification relating to such 
                determination.

SEC. 7. TERMINATION AUTHORITY.

    (a) Sections 3, 4, and 5.--The authority to impose sanctions under 
sections 3 and 5 (and the sanctions imposed pursuant to such sections) 
and the prohibitions under section 4 shall terminate if the President 
determines and submits to the appropriate congressional committees a 
finding that--
            (1) Turkey has halted attacks against the Syrian Democratic 
        Forces, Kurdish and Arab civilians, and other religious and 
        ethnic minority communities in northern Syria;
            (2) Turkish forces not involved in coordinated operations 
        with NATO allies or the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS have 
        withdrawn from northern Syria; and
            (3) Turkey is not hindering counter-terrorism operations 
        against ISIS.
    (b) Section 6.--The authority to impose financial sanctions under 
section 6 (and the sanctions imposed pursuant to such section) shall 
terminate if the President determines and submits to the appropriate 
congressional committees the finding described in subsection (a)(1).

SEC. 8. IMPOSITION OF CERTAIN SANCTIONS UNDER COUNTERING AMERICA'S 
              ADVERSARIES THROUGH SANCTIONS ACT AGAINST TURKEY.

    (a) Determination.--For the purposes of section 231 of the 
Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (22 U.S.C. 
9525), Turkey's acquisition of the Russian S-400 air and missile 
defense system beginning July 12, 2019, shall be considered to be a 
significant transaction described in such section.
    (b) Sanctions.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the President shall impose five or more of the 
sanctions described in section 235 of the Countering America's 
Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (22 U.S.C. 9529) with respect to the 
Government of Turkey.

SEC. 9. PLANS AND REPORTS TO ADDRESS NATIONAL SECURITY THREATS CAUSED 
              BY TURKEY'S MILITARY INVASION OF NORTHERN SYRIA.

    Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act--
            (1) the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the 
        appropriate congressional committees--
                    (A) a plan to ensure that ISIS detainees and 
                families held in Syria remain under proper custody, in 
                accordance with internationally recognized human rights 
                requirements, and in a manner that does not threaten 
                United States security interests; and
                    (B) a report on the impact that Turkey's military 
                invasion of northern Syria is having on 
                counterterrorism operations in Syria; and
            (2) the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate 
        congressional committees a plan for how the United States will 
        assist the Syrian Democratic Forces, Kurdish and Arab 
        civilians, and other religious and ethnic minority communities 
        affected by Turkey's military invasion of northern Syria on 
        October 9, 2019.

SEC. 10. REPORT ON NET WORTH OF TURKISH PRESIDENT RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN.

    Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the 
Treasury and the Director of National Intelligence, shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees a report on the estimated net 
worth and known sources of income of Turkish President Recep Tayyip 
Erdogan and his family members (including spouse, children, parents, 
and siblings), including assets, investments, other business interests, 
and relevant beneficial ownership information.

SEC. 11. REPORT ON TURKEY'S MILITARY INVASION OF NORTHERN SYRIA.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the Russian Federation and Iran continue to--
                    (A) exploit a security vacuum in Syria; and
                    (B) pose a threat to vital United States national 
                security interests; and
            (2) continued Turkish military activity inside Syria will 
        negatively impact the national security interest and regional 
        stability of the United States.
    (b) Report Required.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in 
        consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator 
        of the United States Agency for International Development, and 
        the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, shall submit 
        to the appropriate congressional committees a report on 
        Turkey's military invasion of northern Syria on October 9, 
        2019, including the impact of the withdrawal of United States 
        troops from northern Syria. The Secretary of State shall 
        provide an updated report or briefing to the appropriate 
        congressional committees as circumstances warrant.
            (2) Elements of the report.--The report, and any update 
        thereto, required under paragraph (1) shall include the 
        following elements:
                    (A) A description of the impact of Turkey's 
                military invasion of northern Syria on the ability of 
                ISIS to reconstitute a physical caliphate.
                    (B) A description of the impact of the invasion on 
                the Russian Federation's military and political 
                influence in Syria.
                    (C) A description of the impact of the invasion on 
                Iran's ability to increase its military and political 
                influence in Syria.
                    (D) A comprehensive assessment of the United States 
                Government's activities to counter Iranian and Russian 
                Federation influence in Syria.
                    (E) An outline of planned joint actions by the 
                Department of State and the Department of Defense, in 
                consultation with the heads of the other appropriate 
                Federal agencies, regarding all stabilization funds or 
                activities for Syria, and an explanation of how such 
                funds and activities can contribute to stabilization in 
                the current environment and without limited United 
                States troop presence in northern Syria.
                    (F) The creation and use by the Government of 
                Turkey of ``safe zones'' to justify the involuntary or 
                uninformed return of Syrian refugees from Turkey to 
                Syrian territory, to justify the forced displacement of 
                Syrians inside Syria, or to prevent Syrians from 
                seeking international protections.
                    (G) The role of the Government of Turkey and 
                Turkish-backed forces in facilitating humanitarian 
                actors, including international nongovernmental 
                organizations (INGOs), for cross-border work from 
                Turkey and in ensuring efficient, open supply lines for 
                humanitarian assistance and personnel through border 
                crossing points on the Turkey-Syria and Iraq-Syria 
                borders, and facilitating safe passage of humanitarian 
                assistance to Syrians inside Syria based on need.
                    (H) The actions of the Government of Turkey and 
                Turkish-backed forces in the operation of all camps for 
                families displaced by conflict as civilian facilities, 
                and ensuring that camp residents, in particular women 
                and children, are treated as civilian victims of 
                conflict in accordance with international law and 
                standards.
                    (I) The actions of the Government of Turkey and 
                Turkish-backed forces in taking effective measures to 
                protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, 
                including health facilities, water pumping stations, 
                and restricting use of explosive weapons in populated 
                areas.

SEC. 12. STRATEGY TO PREVENT THE RESURGENCE OF THE ISLAMIC STATE OF 
              IRAQ AND SYRIA (ISIS) AND ITS AFFILIATES.

    (a) Strategy Required.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with 
the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of the United States Agency 
for International Development, and the heads of other appropriate 
Federal agencies, shall jointly submit to the appropriate congressional 
committees a strategy to prevent the resurgence of Islamic State of 
Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria.
    (b) Elements of the Strategy.--The strategy required under 
subsection (a) shall include the following elements:
            (1) A summary of the United States national security 
        interests in Iraq and Syria and the impact a resurgence of ISIS 
        would have on such interests.
            (2) A assessment of current training and support programs 
        by Federal agency or department, specifically focused on 
        countering ISIS and other terrorist organizations, including 
        non-lethal assistance, training, and organizational capacity 
        for the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Iraqi Security Forces, 
        the Kurdish Peshmerga, and others to counter gains by ISIS and 
        its affiliates.
            (3) A description of United States Government efforts to 
        support, develop, and expand local governance structures in 
        areas in Syria previously liberated from ISIS control.
            (4) An estimate of the number of current, active ISIS 
        members in Iraq and Syria, including an assessment of those 
        being held in detainee camps or prisons.
            (5) A comprehensive plan to address ISIS detainees 
        currently being held in Syria and Iraq, including the following 
        elements:
                    (A) The designation of an existing official within 
                the Department of State to serve as a senior-level 
                coordinator to coordinate, in conjunction with the lead 
                and other relevant agencies, all matters for the United 
                States Government relating to the long-term disposition 
                of ISIS foreign terrorist fighter detainees, including 
                all matters in connection with--
                            (i) repatriation, transfer, prosecution, 
                        and intelligence-gathering;
                            (ii) coordinating a whole-of-government 
                        approach with other countries and international 
                        organizations, including INTERPOL, to ensure 
                        secure chains of custody and locations of ISIS 
                        foreign terrorist fighter detainees;
                            (iii) coordinating technical and 
                        evidentiary assistance to foreign countries to 
                        aid in the successful prosecution of ISIS 
                        foreign terrorist fighter detainees; and
                            (iv) all multilateral and international 
                        engagements led by the Department of State and 
                        other agencies that are related to the current 
                        and future handling, detention, and prosecution 
                        of ISIS foreign terrorist fighter detainees.
                    (B) A description, which may be in classified form, 
                of ISIS senior leadership and infrastructure and 
                efforts to target leadership figures.
                    (C) A comprehensive description of United States 
                activities utilizing social media and other 
                communication technologies to counter ISIS's 
                propaganda, influence, and ability to recruit fighters 
                domestically and internationally, including with 
                private technology companies, and how such activities 
                are being coordinated across the United States 
                Government.
                    (D) A description of the efforts of the United 
                States Government, including economic sanctions, to 
                deny financial resources, including revenues from 
                natural resources extraction, sale of antiquities, 
                kidnapping, extortion, taxation, smuggling, access to 
                cash storage sites, and access to international 
                financial networks, to ISIS and its affiliates, in 
                conjunction with international partners and financial 
                institutions.
                    (E) A description of United States Government 
                efforts to support credible war crimes prosecutions 
                against ISIS fighters.
                    (F) A plan to ensure the delivery of humanitarian 
                assistance.

SEC. 13. REPORT ON ACCOUNTABILITY FOR VIOLATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW, 
              INCLUDING THE LAW OF ARMED CONFLICT, AND OTHER HARM TO 
              CIVILIANS IN SYRIA DURING TURKEY'S MILITARY INVASION.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) Turkish and pro-Turkish forces should end all practices 
        involving arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, torture, 
        arbitrary executions, and other unlawful treatment; and
            (2) all stakeholders in Turkey's military invasion of 
        northern Syria should reveal the fate or the location of all 
        persons who have been subjected to enforced disappearance by 
        such stakeholders.
    (b) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit 
        to the appropriate congressional committees a report that 
        describes the causes and consequences of civilian harm 
        occurring during Turkey's military invasion of northern Syria, 
        including violations of the law of armed conflict and gross 
        violations of internationally recognized human rights, as a 
        result of the actions of all parties to the conflict.
            (2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1) 
        shall include the following elements:
                    (A) A description of civilian harm occurring in the 
                context of Turkey's military invasion, including--
                            (i) mass casualty incidents; and
                            (ii) damage to, and destruction of, 
                        civilian infrastructure and services, 
                        including--
                                    (I) hospitals and other medical 
                                facilities;
                                    (II) electrical grids;
                                    (III) water systems; and
                                    (IV) other critical infrastructure.
                    (B) A description of violations of the law of armed 
                conflict committed during Turkey's military invasion by 
                all forces involved in the Turkish-led coalition and 
                all forces fighting on its behalf and by any other 
                combatants in the conflict, including--
                            (i) alleged violations of the law of armed 
                        conflict;
                            (ii) specific instances of failure by the 
                        parties to the conflict to exercise 
                        distinction, proportionality, and precaution in 
                        the use force in accordance with the law of 
                        armed conflict;
                            (iii) arbitrary denials of humanitarian 
                        access and the resulting impact on the 
                        alleviation of human suffering;
                            (iv) extra-judicial executions and 
                        detention-related abuses; and
                            (v) other acts that may constitute 
                        violations of the law of armed conflict.
                    (C) Recommendations for establishing accountability 
                mechanisms for civilian harm, violations of the law of 
                armed conflict, and gross violations of internationally 
                recognized human rights perpetrated by Turkish and pro-
                Turkish forces in Syria, including the potential for 
                prosecuting individuals perpetrating, organizing, 
                directing, or ordering such violations.

SEC. 14. SANCTIONS DESCRIBED.

    The sanctions described in this section are the following:
            (1) Asset blocking.--The President shall exercise all of 
        the powers granted by the International Emergency Economic 
        Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (except that the 
        requirements of section 202 of such Act (50 U.S.C. 1701) shall 
        not apply) to the extent necessary to block and prohibit all 
        transactions in all property and interests in property of a 
        person if such property and interests in property are in the 
        United States, come within the United States, or are or come 
        within the possession or control of a United States person.
            (2) Aliens inadmissible for visas, admission, or parole.--
                    (A) Visas, admission, or parole.--A foreign person 
                is--
                            (i) inadmissible to the United States;
                            (ii) ineligible to receive a visa or other 
                        documentation to enter the United States; and
                            (iii) otherwise ineligible to be admitted 
                        or paroled into the United States or to receive 
                        any other benefit under the Immigration and 
                        Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
                    (B) Current visas revoked.--The visa or other entry 
                documentation of a foreign person shall be revoked, 
                regardless of when such visa or other entry 
                documentation is or was issued. A revocation under this 
                subparagraph shall take effect immediately and 
                automatically cancel any other valid visa or entry 
                documentation that is in the foreign person's 
                possession.
                    (C) Exception to comply with united nations 
                headquarters agreement.--Sanctions under this paragraph 
                shall not apply to an individual if admitting such 
                individual into the United States is necessary to 
                permit the United States to comply with the Agreement 
                regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, 
                signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into 
                force November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and 
                the United States, or other applicable international 
                obligations of the United States.

SEC. 15. IMPLEMENTATION.

    (a) In General.--The President--
            (1) may exercise all authorities provided to the President 
        under sections 203 and 205 of the International Emergency 
        Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702 and 1704) to carry out this 
        Act; and
            (2) shall issue such regulations, licenses, and orders as 
        are necessary to carry out this Act.
    (b) Penalties.--The penalties provided for in subsections (b) and 
(c) of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act 
(50 U.S.C. 1705) shall apply to any person who violates, attempts to 
violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of any prohibition 
of this Act, or an order or regulation prescribed under this Act, to 
the same extent that such penalties apply to a person that commits an 
unlawful act described in subsection (a) of that section.

SEC. 16. EXCEPTION RELATING TO IMPORTATION OF GOODS.

    (a) In General.--The authorities and requirements to impose 
sanctions under this Act or any amendments made by this Act shall not 
include the authority or requirement to impose sanctions on the 
importation of goods.
    (b) Good Defined.--In this section, the term ``good'' means any 
article, natural or man-made substance, material, supply or 
manufactured product, including inspection and test equipment and 
excluding technical data.

SEC. 17. HUMANITARIAN WAIVER.

    The President may waive the application of any provision of this 
Act (other than section 16) for the purpose of providing humanitarian 
assistance if the President certifies to the appropriate congressional 
committees that such a waiver is important to address a humanitarian 
need and consistent with the national security interests of the United 
States, not later than 15 days before issuing such a waiver, the 
President submits to such committees a justification relating to such 
determination.

SEC. 18. UNITED STATES REFUGEE PROGRAM PRIORITIES.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of State, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Homeland Security shall designate, as Priority 2 refugees 
of special humanitarian concern--
            (1) Syrian Kurds, stateless persons who habitually resided 
        in Syria, and other Syrians, who partnered with, or worked for 
        or directly with, the United States Government in Syria for an 
        aggregate period of not less than 1 year;
            (2) Syrian Kurds, stateless persons who habitually resided 
        in Syria, and other Syrians, who were employed in Syria, for an 
        aggregate period of not less than 1 year, by--
                    (A) a media or nongovernmental organization based 
                in the United States;
                    (B) an organization or entity that has received a 
                grant from, or entered into a cooperative agreement or 
                contract with, the United States Government; or
                    (C) an organization that--
                            (i) was continuously physically present in 
                        Northeast Syria between 2011 and the date of 
                        the enactment of this Act; and
                            (ii) has partnered with an organization 
                        described in subparagraph (A) or (B);
            (3) the spouses, children, sons, daughters, siblings, and 
        parents of aliens described in paragraph (1); or
            (4) Syrian Kurds, stateless persons who habitually resided 
        in Syria, and other Syrians, who have an immediate relative (as 
        defined in section 201(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Immigration and 
        Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(2)(A)(i)) or a family member 
        described in section 203(a) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 203(a)) who 
        is physically present in the United States.
    (b) Eligibility for Admission as a Refugee.--An alien may not be 
denied the opportunity to apply for admission as a refugee under this 
section solely because such alien qualifies as an immediate relative of 
a national of the United States or is eligible for admission to the 
United States under any other immigrant classification.
    (c) Membership in Certain Syrian Organizations.--An applicant for 
admission to the United States under this section may not be deemed 
inadmissible solely because the applicant was a member of, or provided 
support to, the Syrian Democratic Forces.
    (d) Exclusion From Numerical Limitations.--Aliens provided refugee 
status under this section shall not be counted against any numerical 
limitation under section 201, 202, 203, or 207 of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151, 1152, 1153, and 1157).
    (e) Identification of Other Persecuted Groups.--The Secretary of 
State, or the designee of the Secretary, is authorized to classify 
other groups of Syrians, including vulnerable populations, as Priority 
2 refugees of special humanitarian concern.
    (f) Satisfaction of Other Requirements.--Aliens designated as 
Priority 2 refugees of special humanitarian concern under this section 
shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements under section 207 of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1157) for admission to the 
United States.

SEC. 19. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Admission; admitted; alien.--The terms ``admission'', 
        ``admitted'', and ``alien'' have the meanings given such terms 
        in section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
        1101).
            (2) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
        ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee 
                on Armed Services, and the Committee on Financial 
                Services of the House of Representatives; and
                    (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the 
                Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on 
                Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
            (3) Foreign person.--The term ``foreign person'' means an 
        individual or entity that is not a United States person.
            (4) Gross violations of internationally recognized human 
        rights.--The term ``gross violations of internationally 
        recognized human rights'' has the meaning given such term in 
        section 502B(d)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 
        U.S.C. 2304(d)(1)).
            (5) Knowingly.--The term ``knowingly'' with respect to 
        conduct, a circumstance, or a result, means that a person has 
        actual knowledge, or should have known, of the conduct, the 
        circumstance, or the result.
            (6) United states person.--The term ``United States 
        person'' means--
                    (A) a United States citizen or an alien lawfully 
                admitted for permanent residence to the United States; 
                or
                    (B) an entity organized under the laws of the 
                United States or any jurisdiction within the United 
                States, including a foreign branch of such an entity.

SEC. 20. SUNSET.

    This Act shall terminate on the date that is three years after the 
date on which sanctions imposed pursuant to this Act have terminated.

            Passed the House of Representatives October 29, 2019.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.
116th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                               H. R. 4695

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT

  To impose sanctions with respect to Turkey, and for other purposes.
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