Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007

Bill: 110-hr-2003
Sponsor: Rep. Payne, Donald M. [D-NJ-10]
Introduced: 2007-04-23 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Admission of nonimmigrants
Africa (Sub-Saharan)
Agriculture and Food
Armed Forces and National Security
Assassination
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Clinics
Congress
Congress and foreign policy
Congressional oversight
Congressional reporting requirements
Crime and Law Enforcement
Democracy
Economic assistance
Economic development
Economics and Public Finance
Energy
Ethiopia
Famines
Foreign leaders
Freedom of the press
Government Operations and Politics
Health
Hospitals
Housing and Community Development
Human rights
Hydroelectric power
Immigration
Infrastructure
International relief
Irrigation
Labor and Employment
Law
Military assistance
Military education
Military training
Murder
Nongovernmental organizations
Peacekeeping forces
Political participation
Political prisoners
Political violence
President and foreign policy
Public demonstrations
Rule of law
Rural health
Sanctions (International law)
Terrorism
Torture
Victims of crimes
Visas
Water Resources Development

Summary:
action_date: 2007-04-23
text: 
Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007 - States that is U.S. policy to: (1) support human rights, democracy, independence of the judiciary, freedom of the press, peacekeeping capacity building, and economic development in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; (2) collaborate with Ethiopia in the Global War on Terror; (3) seek the release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Ethiopia; (4) foster stability, democracy, and economic development in the region; and (5) strengthen U.S.-Ethiopian relations. 
 
Directs the Secretary of State to take specified actions to support human rights and democratization in Ethiopia.
 
Prohibits until the President makes specified congressional certifications: (1) security assistance to Ethiopia, with exceptions for peacekeeping or counter-terrorism assistance; and (2) U.S. entry of any Ethiopian official involved in giving orders to use lethal force against peaceful demonstrators or accused of gross human rights violations, and government security personnel involved in specified shootings of demonstrators and prisoners.
 
Directs the President to provide assistance for the rehabilitation of Ethiopian torture victims. 
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. government should: (1) encourage the government of Ethiopia to enter into discussions with peaceful political groups to bring them into full participation in Ethiopia's political and economic affairs; and (2) provide necessary assistance to help achieve such goal.
 
Directs the President to provide Ethiopia with: (1) resource policy assistance; and (2) health care assistance. 

action_date: 2007-10-02
text: 
Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) States that is U.S. policy to: (1) support human rights, democracy, independence of the judiciary, freedom of the press, peacekeeping capacity building, and economic development in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; (2) collaborate with Ethiopia in the Global War on Terror; (3) seek the release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Ethiopia; (4) foster stability, democracy, and economic development in the region; (5) support humanitarian assistance efforts, especially in the Ogaden region; and (6) strengthen U.S.-Ethiopian relations. 
 
(Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of State to take specified actions to support human rights and democratization in Ethiopia.
 
(Sec. 5) Prohibits until the President makes specified congressional certifications: (1) security assistance to Ethiopia, with exceptions for peacekeeping, military education and training for civilian personnel, or counter-terrorism assistance; and (2) U.S. entry of any Ethiopian official involved in giving orders to use lethal force against peaceful demonstrators or accused of gross human rights violations, and government security personnel involved in specified shootings of demonstrators or prisoners, or murdering Etenesh Yemam. Authorizes the President, after congressional notification, to waive such prohibitions for national security purposes.
 
Directs the President, the Secretary, and other relevant U.S. government officials to call upon the government of Ethiopia to: (1) release all remaining political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, especially prisoners held without charge; and (2) allow full access to the Ogaden region by humanitarian aid organizations and international human rights investigators. 
 
Directs the President to provide assistance for the rehabilitation of Ethiopian torture victims. 
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. government should: (1) encourage the government of Ethiopia to enter into discussions with peaceful political groups to bring them into full participation in Ethiopia's political and economic affairs; and (2) provide necessary assistance to help achieve such goal.
 
(Sec. 6) Directs the President to provide Ethiopia with assistance to: (1) develop Ethiopia's Nile and Awash River resources, including assistance for the construction of irrigation systems and hydroelectric power that might prevent future famine; and (2) support hospitals, clinics, and health care centers, especially in rural areas.
 
(Sec. 7) Directs the President to report to Congress respecting implementation of this Act.
 
(Sec. 8) Authorizes FY2008-FY2009 appropriations. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2007-10-02
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2007-10-02
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H11099-11100)
action_date: 2007-10-02
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 H11099-11100)
action_date: 2007-10-02
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2003.
action_date: 2007-10-02
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H11099-11103)
action_date: 2007-10-02
text: Mr. Payne moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2007-09-26
text: Committee Agreed to Seek Consideration Under Suspension of the Rules, (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2007-09-26
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2007-07-18
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2007-07-18
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2007-07-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health.
action_date: 2007-06-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1403-1405)
action_date: 2007-04-23
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2007-04-23
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-04-23
text: Introduced in House