A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on humanitarian crises in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen.

Bill: 115-sres-114
Sponsor: Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
Introduced: 2017-04-05 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Africa
Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Europe
Foreign aid and international relief
Human rights
International organizations and cooperation
Military personnel and dependents
Nigeria
Somalia
South Sudan
United Kingdom
War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity
Yemen

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-05
text: 
Expresses the sense of the Senate that:
 
 
the United States should lead an international diplomatic effort to address obstacles in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen that are preventing delivery of humanitarian aid; 
 
 the President should encourage other governments to join the United States in providing the resources necessary to meet the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs appeal to address the humanitarian crises in those countries; and 
 
 the President should work with international partners to document violations of international humanitarian law in those countries and bring perpetrators to justice.
 
 
Urges the President to:
 
 
persuade the government of South Sudan to stop blocking aid; 
 
 notify Congress if that government does not immediately respect international humanitarian law;
 
 press the government of Nigeria to ensure accountability for security forces that violate human rights and fail to cooperate with international aid efforts; 
 
 send a high level representative to the United Kingdom's Ministerial Conference on Somalia and publicly announce a contribution to the humanitarian assistance efforts; and 
 
 work with stakeholders to persuade parties to conflict in Yemen to permit humanitarian groups increased access to Red Sea ports to deliver much-needed assistance. 
 
 
 

action_date: 2017-06-05
text: 
Calls for the United States to:
 
 
 lead a comprehensive international diplomatic effort to address obstacles in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen that are preventing humanitarian aid from being delivered;
 
 encourage other governments to join in providing the resources necessary to address the humanitarian crises in those countries; and 
 
 work with international partners to support efforts to hold accountable those responsible for deliberate restrictions on humanitarian access in those countries.
 
 
Calls for parties to the conflicts in those countries to: (1) allow and facilitate passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need, and (2) respect and protect humanitarian and medical relief personnel and objects.
 
 

action_date: 2017-09-26
text: 
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) an urgent and comprehensive international diplomatic effort is necessary to address obstacles in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen that are preventing humanitarian aid from being delivered; and (2) the contributions of U.S. charities, non-profit organizations, religious organizations, and businesses have an important role in addressing humanitarian crises.
 
Calls for the United States to: (1) encourage other governments to join in providing the resources necessary to address the humanitarian crises in those countries, and (2) work with international partners to support efforts to hold accountable those responsible for deliberate restrictions on humanitarian access in those countries.
 
Calls for parties to the conflicts in those countries to: (1) allow and facilitate passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need, and (2) respect and protect humanitarian and medical relief personnel and objects.
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-09-26
text: Resolution agreed to in Senate with an amendment and an amended preamble by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR 9/27/2017 S6191)
action_date: 2017-09-26
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Resolution agreed to in Senate with an amendment and an amended preamble by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR 9/27/2017 S6191)
action_date: 2017-09-26
text: The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6143)
action_date: 2017-09-26
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6143-6144)
action_date: 2017-06-05
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 115.
action_date: 2017-06-05
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and with an amended preamble. Without written report.
action_date: 2017-06-05
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and with an amended preamble. Without written report.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
action_date: 2017-04-05
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text as introduced in Senate: CR S2368-2369)
action_date: 2017-04-05
text: Introduced in Senate