even-numbered Congress, the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives shall designate one of 
the House Members who is a member of the 
Commission as Chairman of the Commission. 
(B) SENATE.—Not later than 30 days 
after the convening of each odd-numbered Con-
gress, the President of the Senate, on the rec-
ommendation of the majority leader, shall des-
ignate one of the Senate Members who is a 
member of the Commission as Chairman of the 
Commission. 
(3) DESIGNATION OF CO-CHAIRMAN.— 
(A) HOUSE
OF
REPRESENTATIVES.—Not 
later than 30 days after the convening of each 
odd-numbered Congress, the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives shall designate one of 
the House Members who is a member of the 
Commission as Co-Chairman of the Commis-
sion. 
(B) SENATE.—Not later than 30 days 
after the convening of each even-numbered Con-
gress, the President of the Senate, on the rec-
ommendation of the majority leader, shall des-
ignate one of the Senate Members who is a 
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member of the Commission as Co-Chairman of 
the Commission. 
(4) TERM OF OFFICE.—The term of office of a 
Chairman and Co-Chairman shall terminate on the 
date that a Congress adjourns sine die. 
SEC. 5. TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES; PRODUCTION OF EVI-
DENCE; ISSUANCE OF SUBPOENAS; ADMINIS-
TRATION OF OATHS. 
In carrying out its duty under section 3, the Commis-
sion may require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attend-
ance and testimony of such witnesses and the production 
of such evidence, including books, records, correspondence, 
memorandums, papers, and documents, as it determines 
necessary. Subpoenas may be issued only pursuant to a 
two-thirds vote of the members of the Commission who 
are present and voting. Upon such a vote, subpoenas may 
be issued by the Chairman of the Commission or by any 
member designated by the Chairman, and may be served 
by any person designated by the Chairman or such mem-
ber. The Chairman of the Commission, or any member 
designated by the Chairman, may administer oaths to any 
witnesses. 
SEC. 6. REPORT BY SECRETARY OF STATE TO COMMISSION. 
(a) ANNUAL REPORT.—In order to assist the Com-
mission in carrying out its duty under section 3, the Sec-
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retary of State shall annually submit to the Commission 
a report that explains how the United States has complied 
with its international human rights treaty obligations over 
the preceding calendar year. 
(b) CONTENTS OF REPORT.—The report required 
under subsection (a) shall include a discussion of any con-
cerns raised regarding the United States in international 
organizations charged with monitoring compliance with 
international human rights treaties. 
(c) TIME FOR SUBMISSION OF REPORT.—The Sec-
retary shall submit the report not later than March 31 
of each year. 
(d) PUBLIC DISSEMINATION.—The Secretary shall 
ensure that each annual report, excluding any classified 
annexes, is posted on the website of the Department of 
State not later than April 1 of each year. 
SEC. 7. REPORTS BY COMMISSION TO CONGRESS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than January 31 of 
each year, the Commission shall submit to the Committee 
on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary 
of the House of Representatives and Committee on For-
eign Relations and the Committee on the Judiciary of the 
Senate a report regarding the compliance by the United 
States of its obligations under international human rights 
treaties. 
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(b) REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.—The 
Commission shall, upon request by any Member of the 
House of Representatives or any Member of the Senate, 
provide such Member with any additional information so 
requested pertaining to the compliance by the United 
States of its obligations under international human rights 
treaties. 
(c) EXPENDITURE OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Not later 
than January 15 of each fiscal year for which an appro-
priation is made to the Commission to carry out its duty 
under section 3, the Commission shall submit to Congress 
a report on its expenditures under such appropriation. 
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Commission for each fiscal year such sums 
as may be necessary to enable it to carry out its duty 
under section 3. 
(b) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts appropriated pursuant 
to the authorization of appropriations under paragraph 
(1) are authorized to remain available until expended. 
(c) DISBURSEMENT.—Amounts appropriated to the 
Commission shall be disbursed on vouchers approved— 
(1) jointly by the Chairman and the Co-Chair-
man; or 
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(2) by a majority of the members of the per-
sonnel and administration committee established 
under section 9. 
SEC. 9. COMMISSION STAFF. 
(a) STAFF DIRECTOR; SENIOR STAFF PERSON.—The 
Chairman shall be entitled to appoint and fix the pay of 
a staff director, and the Co-Chairman shall be entitled to 
appoint and fix the pay of the senior staff person of the 
Co-Chairman. 
(b) PROFESSIONAL STAFF MEMBERS.—The Chair-
man and Co-Chairman each shall have the authority to 
appoint and fix the pay of at least four professional staff 
members who shall be responsible to the Chairman or the 
Co-Chairman, as the case may be, who appointed them. 
Such authority may be delegated to the staff director or 
senior staff person, as the case may be. 
(c) STAFF APPOINTMENTS.—All staff appointments 
shall be made without regard to the provisions of title 5, 
United States Code, governing appointments in the com-
petitive service, and without regard to the provisions of 
chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title 
relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, 
except that the rate of pay may not exceed the maximum 
rate of pay for GS–15 under the General Schedule. 
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