Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-1158
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2017-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Department of State
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign aid and international relief
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Human rights
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
International organizations and cooperation
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Rule of law and government transparency
War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-17
text: 

Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act of 2017 

 
This bill states that it is U.S. policy to regard the prevention of genocide and other atrocity crimes as a core national security interest and a core moral responsibility. 
 
 The President shall instruct the Department of State to establish a Mass Atrocities Task Force to strengthen State Department efforts and assist other agency efforts at atrocity prevention and response. 
 
The Foreign Service Act of 1980 is amended to provide for the training of Foreign Service Officers in conflict and atrocity crimes prevention. 
 
 The Director of National Intelligence is encouraged to include in his or her annual testimony to Congress on threats to U.S. national security: (1) a review of countries and regions at risk of atrocity crimes; and (2) specific countries and regions at immediate risk of atrocity crimes, including most likely pathways to violence, specific risk factors, potential perpetrators, and at-risk target groups. 
 
The bill establishes the Complex Crises Fund to enable the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development to support programs and activities to prevent or respond to emerging or unforeseen foreign challenges and complex crises overseas, including potential atrocity crimes. Fund amounts may not be expended for lethal assistance or to respond to natural disasters.

action_date: 2019-01-14
text: 

Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act of 2018

 
This bill directs the Department of State to provide additional training for Foreign Service Officers assigned to a country experiencing or at risk of mass atrocities, such as genocide or war crimes. The training shall include instruction on recognizing patterns of escalation and early signs of potential atrocities, and methods of preventing and responding to atrocities. 
 
The President shall report annually to Congress on U.S. efforts to prevent mass atrocities. The report shall cover topics including a review of current U.S. activities, funding expended on such activities, recommendations on how to strengthen such efforts, and the state of the implementation of the recommendations from the previous year's report. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-01-14
text: Became Public Law No: 115-441.
action_date: 2019-01-14
text: Became Public Law No: 115-441.
action_date: 2019-01-14
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2019-01-14
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2019-01-02
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2019-01-02
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 367 - 4 (Roll no. 489). (text: CR H10546-10547)
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 367 - 4 (Roll no. 489).(text: CR H10546-10547)
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H10574-10575)
action_date: 2018-12-21
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: 2018-12-21
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1158.
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10546-10547)
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: Mr. Royce (CA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2018-12-13
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2018-12-13
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2018-12-13
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2018-12-12
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2018-12-12
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2018-12-12
text: The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent. (CR S7522)
action_date: 2018-12-12
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7522-7524)
action_date: 2018-06-27
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 489.
action_date: 2018-06-27
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2018-06-27
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2018-06-26
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2017-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3014-3015)
action_date: 2017-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate

Enacted as: number: 115-441