To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia.

Bill: 112-hr-440
Sponsor: Rep. Wolf, Frank R. [R-VA-10]
Introduced: 2011-01-25 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Afghanistan
Africa
Algeria
Asia
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Department of State
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Egypt
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Gaza Strip
Human rights
India
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Lebanon
Libya
Maldives
Middle East
Morocco
Nepal
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinians
Qatar
Religion
Saudi Arabia
Sri Lanka
Syria
Tajikistan
Tunisia
Turkmenistan
United Arab Emirates
Uzbekistan
West Bank
Yemen

Summary:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: 
Directs the President to appoint a Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia within the Department of State.
 
Authorizes the Special Envoy, subject to direction by the President and the Secretary of State, to represent the United States in matters and cases relevant to religious freedom in: (1) contacts with foreign governments, intergovernmental organizations, and specialized agencies of the United Nations (U.N.), the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe, and other international organizations; and (2) multilateral conferences and meetings relevant to religious freedom.
 
Defines &quot;Near East&quot; as Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and including the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Defines &quot;South Central Asia&quot; as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

action_date: 2011-07-29
text: 
(Sec. 2) Directs the President to appoint a Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia within the Department of State.
 
(Sec. 3) Requires the Special Envoy to: (1) promote the right of religious freedom of religious minorities in the countries of the Near East and South Central Asia, denounce the violation of such right, and recommend appropriate U.S government responses to such violations; (2) monitor and combat acts of religious intolerance and incitement targeted against such religious minorities; (3) ensure that the needs of such religious minority communities are addressed, including economic and security needs directly tied to religious-based discrimination and persecution; (4) work with foreign governments of such countries to address inherently discriminatory laws; and (5) coordinate and assist in the preparation of specified reports required by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.
 
(Sec. 4) Authorizes the Special Envoy, subject to direction by the President and the Secretary of State, to represent the United States in matters and cases relevant to religious freedom in: (1) contacts with foreign governments, intergovernmental organizations, and specialized agencies of the United Nations (U.N.), the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe, and other international organizations; and (2) multilateral conferences and meetings relevant to religious freedom.
 
(Sec. 5) Requires the Special Envoy to give priority to programs, projects, and activities for Egypt, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
 
(Sec. 6) Authorizes, from amounts available for Diplomatic and Consular Programs, $1 million to be appropriated each fiscal year from FY2011-FY2015. Provides that no additional funds are authorized to be appropriated for such Programs to carry out this Act.
 
Directs the Secretary, unless otherwise authorized or required by law, to eliminate positions within the Department as necessary to offset the costs to be incurred for hiring staff, conducting investigations, and for the necessary travel to carry out this Act.
 
(Sec. 7) Declares that this Act shall cease to be effective on October 1, 2015.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-01-23
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 292.
action_date: 2011-12-17
text: Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2011-07-29
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2011-07-29
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2011-07-29
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 - 20 (Roll no. 673). (text: CR 7/27/2011 H5595-5596)
action_date: 2011-07-29
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 - 20 (Roll no. 673).(text: CR 7/27/2011 H5595-5596)
action_date: 2011-07-29
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5750)
action_date: 2011-07-27
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2011-07-27
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 440.
action_date: 2011-07-27
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5595-5600)
action_date: 2011-07-27
text: Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2011-03-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights.
action_date: 2011-03-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia .
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E106-107)
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-01-24
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H402)