Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act of 2014

Bill: 113-s-653
Sponsor: Sen. Blunt, Roy [R-MO]
Introduced: 2013-03-22 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Africa
Asia
Department of State
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Human rights
Middle East
Religion

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-22
text: 
Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act of 2013 - Authorizes 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.
 
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. 
 
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.

action_date: 2013-12-18
text: 

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

 
Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act of 2013 - (Sec. 2) Authorizes 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. Requires the Special Envoy to have the rank of ambassador. 
 
(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) Provides for the Special Envoy to consult, as appropriate, with domestic and international nongovernmental organizations and multilateral organizations and institutions.

action_date: 2014-07-10
text: 
Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act of 2014 - (Sec. 2) Authorizes 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. Requires the Special Envoy to have the rank of ambassador. 
 
(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) Provides for the Special Envoy to consult, as appropriate, with domestic and international nongovernmental organizations and multilateral organizations and institutions.
 
(Sec. 6) Terminates this Act on October 1, 2019.
 
(Sec. 7) Authorizes the Secretary of State to provide specified amounts to the Special Envoy from amounts appropriated for FY2015-FY2019.

action_date: 2014-07-25
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on July 10, 2014. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act of 2014 - (Sec. 2) Authorizes 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. Requires the Special Envoy to have the rank of ambassador. 
 
(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) Provides for the Special Envoy to consult, as appropriate, with domestic and international nongovernmental organizations and multilateral organizations and institutions.
 
(Sec. 6) Terminates this Act on October 1, 2019.
 
(Sec. 7) Authorizes the Secretary of State to provide specified amounts to the Special Envoy from amounts appropriated for FY2015-FY2019.

action_date: 2014-08-08
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on July 10, 2014. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act of 2014 - (Sec. 2) Authorizes 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. Requires the Special Envoy to have the rank of ambassador. 
 
(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) Provides for the Special Envoy to consult, as appropriate, with domestic and international nongovernmental organizations and multilateral organizations and institutions.
 
(Sec. 6) Terminates this Act on October 1, 2019.
 
(Sec. 7) Authorizes the Secretary of State to provide specified amounts to the Special Envoy from amounts appropriated for FY2015-FY2019.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-08-08
text: Became Public Law No: 113-161.
action_date: 2014-08-08
text: Became Public Law No: 113-161.
action_date: 2014-08-08
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2014-08-08
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2014-07-29
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2014-07-29
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2014-07-25
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2014-07-25
text: On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H6837-6838)
action_date: 2014-07-25
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.(text: CR H6837-6838)
action_date: 2014-07-25
text: Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H6837-6838)
action_date: 2014-07-25
text: Mr. Smith (NJ) asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.
action_date: 2014-07-14
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2014-07-14
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2014-07-14
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2014-07-10
text: Passed Senate with amendments by Voice Vote. (text: CR S4435-4436)
action_date: 2014-07-10
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Voice Vote.(text: CR S4435-4436)
action_date: 2014-07-10
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4435-4436)
action_date: 2013-12-18
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 268.
action_date: 2013-12-18
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2013-12-18
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2013-12-18
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2013-03-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2013-03-22
text: Introduced in Senate

Enacted as: number: 113-161