Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act of 2006

Bill: 109-s-2125
Sponsor: Sen. Obama, Barack [D-IL]
Introduced: 2005-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: AIDS (Disease)
Administration of justice
Africa (Sub-Saharan)
Agriculture and Food
Agriculture in foreign trade
Armed Forces and National Security
Arms sales
Children's rights
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Civil-military relations
Congress
Congress and foreign policy
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Crime and Law Enforcement
Crime prevention
Crimes against women
Democracy
Democratic Republic of Congo
Diplomats
Displaced persons
Economic assistance
Economic development
Economics and Public Finance
Election administration
Embargo
Families
Food relief
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Forest conservation
Government Operations and Politics
Health
Human immunodeficiency viruses
Human rights
Immigration
International employees
International military forces
International relief
Law
Military assistance
Military personnel
National liberation movements
Nongovernmental organizations
Peace
Peace treaties
Peacekeeping forces
Police
Police training
Political violence
President and foreign policy
Prostitution
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Public corruption
Rape
Referendum
Refugees
Religion
Religious liberty
Repatriation
Rule of law
Rwanda
Sanctions (International law)
Sex-oriented businesses
Smuggling
Sustainable forestry
United Nations
United Nations officials
Violence
Voter registration
Women
Women's rights
World health

Summary:
action_date: 2005-12-16
text: 
Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act of 2005 - Authorizes additional FY2006 funds for bilateral assistance programs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, and the Arms Export Control Act.
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be committed to achieving specified policy objectives if U.S. and international efforts are to be effective in bringing relief, security, and democracy to the country; and (2) the international community is providing substantial funding that is giving the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo an opportunity to make progress towards such policy objectives but this assistance cannot continue in perpetuity.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of State to withhold assistance if the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is not making sufficient progress towards accomplishing such policy objectives. 
 
States that the President should appoint a Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region to resolve the instability and insecurity in Eastern Congo and to enhance regional harmonization of U.S. policies and assistance programs.
 
Directs the United States to use its influence in the U.N. Security Council to: (1) address exploitation at the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC); (2) ensure that appropriate codes of conduct and programs for sexual abuse prevention and trafficking in persons are undertaken by the United Nations; (3) strengthen MONUC; (4) ensure that the recruiting and arming of children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is halted; (5) strengthen the arms embargo; (6) allow for more effective protection of natural resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and (7) press countries in the Congo region to help facilitate an end to the violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 
 
Directs the President to use U.S. influence to seek to increase international humanitarian and development assistance for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

action_date: 2006-05-23
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 
Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act of 2005 - 
Title I: Bilateral Action on Addressing Urgent Needs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo - 
(Sec. 102) Sets forth specified U.S. political, social, civil, and economic policy goals with respect to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
 
(Sec. 103) Authorizes additional FY2006 funds for bilateral assistance programs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, and the Arms Export Control Act.
 
(Sec. 104) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be committed to achieving specified policy objectives if U.S. and international efforts are to be effective in bringing relief, security, and democracy to the country; and (2) the international community is providing substantial funding that is giving the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo an opportunity to make progress towards such policy objectives but this assistance cannot continue in perpetuity.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of State to withhold assistance if the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is not making sufficient progress towards accomplishing such policy objectives. 
 
Requires a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report respecting the progress made toward accomplishing such policy objectives.
 
(Sec. 105) Directs the President to report to the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on International Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives (Committees) respecting a strategy for achieving such policy objectives, including a description of a mechanism for coordinating U.S. government efforts to implement such strategy. 
 
(Sec. 106) States that the President should appoint a Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region to resolve the instability and insecurity in Eastern Congo and to enhance regional harmonization of U.S. policies and assistance programs.
 

Title II: Multilateral Actions to Address Urgent Needs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 
- (Sec. 201) Directs the United States to use its influence in the U.N. Security Council to: (1) address exploitation at the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC); (2) ensure that appropriate codes of conduct and programs for sexual abuse prevention and trafficking in persons are undertaken by the United Nations; (3) strengthen MONUC; (4) ensure that the recruiting and arming of children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is halted; (5) strengthen the arms embargo; (6) allow for more effective protection of natural resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially in the eastern part of the country; (7) press countries in the Congo region to help facilitate an end to the violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and (8) encourage the U.N. Secretary-General to become more involved in completing such policy objectives and ensure that fighting in North Kivu, Ituri, and other areas does not create widespread instability throughout the country. 
 
Directs the Secretary to report to the Committees respecting the feasibility and desirability of increasing MONUC. 
 
(Sec. 202) Directs the President to use U.S. influence to increase international humanitarian and development assistance for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
 
Directs: (1) the Secretary, upon a determination that the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is not making sufficient progress toward accomplishing the goals set forth in this Act, to so report to Congress; and (2) the President, upon receipt of such report, to consider withdrawal of support for such international assistance. 

action_date: 2006-06-29
text: 
Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act of 2006 - 
Title I: Bilateral Action on Addressing Urgent Needs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo - 
(Sec. 102) Sets forth specified U.S. political, social, civil, and economic policy objectives (policy objectives) with respect to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
 
(Sec. 103) Authorizes additional FY2006 funds for bilateral assistance programs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, and the Arms Export Control Act.
 
States that: (1) the Department of State should submit budget requests in FY2007-FY2009 that contain bilateral assistance increases for the Democratic Republic of the Congo that are similar to the FY2006 increase if progress is being made toward accomplishing the policy objectives; (2) the Secretary of State should consult with the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on the Budget of the Senate and the Committee on International Relations, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives to determine appropriate funding reductions, especially redundant or duplicative programs, to offset the funding increase authorized in this section; and (3) the United States should work with other donor nations to increase international contributions to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
 
(Sec. 104) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be committed to achieving specified policy objectives if U.S. and international efforts are to be effective in bringing relief, security, and democracy to the country; and (2) the international community is providing substantial funding that is giving the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo an opportunity to make progress towards such policy objectives but this assistance cannot continue in perpetuity.
 
Requires a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report respecting the progress made toward accomplishing the policy objectives.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to withhold assistance if the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is not making sufficient progress towards accomplishing the policy objectives. 
 
(Sec. 105) Directs the President to report to the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on International Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives respecting a strategy for achieving the policy objectives, including a description of a mechanism for coordinating U.S. government efforts to implement such strategy. 
 
(Sec. 106) States that the President should appoint a Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region (who may be a Department employee with the rank of Deputy Assistant Secretary or higher) to resolve the instability and insecurity in Eastern Congo and to enhance regional harmonization of U.S. policies and assistance programs.
 

Title II: Multilateral Actions to Address Urgent Needs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 
- (Sec. 201) Directs the United States to use its influence in the U.N. Security Council to: (1) address exploitation at the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC); (2) ensure that appropriate codes of conduct and programs for sexual abuse prevention and trafficking in persons are undertaken by the United Nations; (3) strengthen MONUC; (4) ensure that the recruiting and arming of children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is halted; (5) strengthen the arms embargo; (6) allow for more effective protection of natural resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially in the eastern part of the country; (7) press countries in the Congo region to help facilitate an end to the violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and (8) encourage the U.N. Secretary-General to become more involved in completing such policy objectives and ensure that fighting in North Kivu, Ituri, and other areas does not create widespread instability throughout the country. 
 
(Sec. 202) Directs the President to use U.S. influence to support increased international humanitarian and development assistance for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
 
States that if the Secretary determines that the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is not making sufficient progress towards accomplishing the policy objectives the President shall consider withdrawing U.S. support for such international assistance when future funding decisions are considered. 

action_date: 2006-12-22
text: 
Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act of 2006 - 
Title I: Bilateral Action on Addressing Urgent Needs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
 - (Sec. 102) Sets forth specified U.S. political, social, civil, and economic policy objectives (policy objectives) with respect to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). 
 
(Sec. 103) Obligates a specified minimum amount for each of FY2006-FY2007 under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, and the Arms Export Control Act for bilateral assistance programs in the DRC. 
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Department of State should submit budget requests in FY2008-FY2009 that contain appropriate bilateral assistance increases for the DRC if progress is being made toward accomplishing the policy objectives.
 
States that the United States should work with other donor nations to increase international contributions to the DRC.
 
(Sec. 104) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the government of the DRC must be committed to achieving the policy objectives if U.S. and international efforts are to be effective in bringing relief, security, and democracy to the country; (2) the government of the DRC should exercise control over its Armed Forces, stop the mass rapes by its armed forces, and hold those responsible accountable before an appropriate tribunal; (3) the government of the DRC, in collaboration with international aid agencies, should establish expert teams to assess the health, counseling, and social support needs of such victims; and (4) the international community is providing substantial funding that is giving the government of the DRC an opportunity to make progress towards the policy objectives but this assistance cannot continue in perpetuity.
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary should withhold assistance if the government of the DRC is not making sufficient progress towards accomplishing the policy objectives. 
 
(Sec. 105) Authorizes the Secretary to withhold assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, other than humanitarian, peacekeeping, and counterterrorism assistance, for a foreign country determined by the Secretary to be acting to destabilize the DRC. 
 
(Sec. 106) Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress respecting progress made toward accomplishing the policy objectives, including an evaluation of related U.S. policies and foreign assistance programs. 
 
(Sec. 107) States that the President should appoint a Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region to help coordinate efforts to resolve the instability and insecurity in Eastern Congo.
 

Title II: Multilateral Actions to Address Urgent Needs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
 - (Sec. 201) States that the United States should use its influence in the U.N. Security Council to: (1) address exploitation at the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC); (2) conclude a Memorandum of Understanding relating to binding codes of conduct and programs for the prevention of sexual abuse and trafficking in persons to be undertaken by the United Nations for all countries that contribute troops to MONUC; (3) strengthen MONUC; (4) ensure that the recruiting and arming of children in the DRC is halted; (5) strengthen the arms embargo; (6) allow for more effective protection of natural resources in the DRC, especially in the eastern part of the country; (7) press countries in the Congo region to help facilitate an end to the violence in the DRC; and (8) encourage the U.N. Secretary-General to become more involved in completing the policy objectives and ensure that fighting in North Kivu, Ituri, and other areas does not create widespread instability throughout the country. 
 
(Sec. 202) States that the President should use U.S. influence to support increased international humanitarian and development assistance for the DRC.
 
States that if the Secretary determines that the government of the DRC is not making sufficient progress towards accomplishing the policy objectives the President shall consider withdrawing U.S. support for such international assistance when future funding decisions are considered. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-12-22
text: Became Public Law No: 109-456.
action_date: 2006-12-22
text: Became Public Law No: 109-456.
action_date: 2006-12-22
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2006-12-22
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2006-12-20
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2006-12-20
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2006-12-09
text: Senate agreed to House amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR 12/8/2006 S11836-11838; text as Senate agreed to House amendment: CR 12/8/2006 S11836-11838)
action_date: 2006-12-09
text: Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to House amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR 12/8/2006 S11836-11838; text as Senate agreed to House amendment: CR 12/8/2006 S11836-11838)
action_date: 2006-12-07
text: Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
action_date: 2006-12-06
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2006-12-06
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR 12/7/2006 H8860-8862)
action_date: 2006-12-06
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR 12/7/2006 H8860-8862)
action_date: 2006-12-06
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2125.
action_date: 2006-12-06
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR 12/7/2006 H8860-8864)
action_date: 2006-12-06
text: Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2006-09-13
text: Committee Agreed to Seek Consideration Under Suspension of the Rules, (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2006-09-13
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2006-07-10
text: Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
action_date: 2006-07-10
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2006-07-10
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2006-06-29
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text as passed Senate: CR S7179-7180)
action_date: 2006-06-29
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text as passed Senate: CR S7179-7180)
action_date: 2006-06-29
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7178-7180)
action_date: 2006-05-23
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 442.
action_date: 2006-05-23
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Lugar without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2006-05-23
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Lugar without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2006-05-23
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2005-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2005-12-16
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13788-13791)
action_date: 2005-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate

Enacted as: number: 109-456