China Human Rights Protection Act of 2014

Bill: 113-hr-5379
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Introduced: 2014-07-31 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
China
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Congressional oversight
Foreign and international banking
Foreign property
Government information and archives
Human rights
Immigration status and procedures
International organizations and cooperation
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
News media and reporting
Sanctions
Trade agreements and negotiations
Trade restrictions
U.S. and foreign investments
United Nations
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2014-07-31
text: 
China Human Rights Protection Act of 2014 - Directs the President to submit to Congress a list (with updates) of individuals responsible for, or complicit in, the commission of: 
 
 
serious and ongoing violations of human rights against nationals of China or their family members, regardless of whether such abuses occurred in China; and 
 
gross violations of human rights against nationals of China or their family members, regardless of whether such abuses occurred in China, or who have benefitted materially or financially from such actions.
 
 
Requires the President to impose: (1) U.S. entry and financial sanctions on listed individuals, and (2) additional sanctions on individuals listed for two and three years.
 
States that entry, financial, and U.S. program benefits sanctions shall not apply if necessary to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations or other applicable international obligations. Requires congressional notification.
 
Authorizes the President to terminate sanctions against an individual under specified circumstances.
 
Sets forth related penalty requirements.
 
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the refusal of a nonimmigrant I-visa (foreign media representative) to aliens who are executives at a state-controlled media organization from China if any U.S. media personnel were expelled, had visas denied, or faced intimidation or violence working in China during the prior fiscal year. 
 
Directs the President to order the revocation, delay, or refusal of a sufficient number of visas already issued to executives of state-controlled media organizations from China in proportion to the expulsions, visa delays or denials, and intimidation experienced by personnel from U.S. journalist or media organizations in the previous 12 months. 
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that: 
 
 
restrictions on the activities of U.S. journalists and media personnel in China and the censorship and blockage of news media websites damages the competitiveness of U.S. media corporations and should be considered a trade restriction and an unfair competitive advantage benefitting Chinese government-controlled media organizations; and 
 
the U.S. government should link to any bilateral investment treaty currently being negotiated language that guarantees fair treatment of journalists, a reciprocal number of journalist visas, and free and unfettered operation of news websites in China.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-09-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
action_date: 2014-09-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
action_date: 2014-09-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations.
action_date: 2014-07-31
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2014-07-31
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2014-07-31
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2014-07-31
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2014-07-31
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2014-07-31
text: Introduced in House