Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-2484
Sponsor: Rep. Noem, Kristi L. [R-SD-At Large]
Introduced: 2017-05-17 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Foreign aid and international relief
Human rights
Human trafficking
International law and treaties
Military education and training
Reconstruction and stabilization
Rule of law and government transparency
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Terrorism
Women's rights

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-17
text: 

Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017

 
This bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should be a global leader in promoting the participation of women in conflict prevention, management, and resolution and post-conflict relief and recovery efforts; and (2) the political participation and leadership of women in fragile environments, particularly during democratic transitions, is critical to sustaining democratic institutions.
 
The President, by one year after this bill's enactment and four years thereafter, shall submit to Congress and make public a Women, Peace, and Security Strategy, which shall: 
 
 
 be aligned with other countries' plans to improve the participation of women in peace and security processes, conflict prevention, peace building, and decision-making institutions; 
 
include goals and evaluation plans to ensure strategy effectiveness; and
 
 include a specific implementation plan from each relevant federal agency. 
 
 
The President is urged to promote women's participation in conflict prevention. 
 
 The Department of State and the Department of Defense shall ensure that specified personnel receive training in conflict prevention, mitigation, and resolution and on other related topics.
 
The State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development may establish guidelines for overseas U.S. personnel to consult with appropriate stakeholders regarding U.S. efforts to: (1) prevent, mitigate, or resolve violent conflict; and (2) enhance the success of mediation and negotiation processes by ensuring the meaningful participation of women. 
 
 The State Department is urged to work with international, regional, national, and local organizations to increase the participation of women in international peacekeeping operations.

action_date: 2017-06-20
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 

Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017

 
(Sec. 3) This bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should be a global leader in promoting the participation of women in conflict prevention, management, and resolution and post-conflict relief and recovery efforts; and (2) the political participation and leadership of women in fragile environments, particularly during democratic transitions, is critical to sustaining democratic institutions.
 
(Sec. 4) The bill declares that it shall be U.S. policy to promote the meaningful participation of women in all aspects of overseas conflict prevention, management, and resolution, and post-conflict relief and recovery efforts.
 
(Sec. 5) The President, by one year after this bill's enactment and four years thereafter, shall submit to Congress and make public a Women, Peace, and Security Strategy, which shall: 
 
 
 be aligned with other countries' plans to improve the participation of women in peace and security processes, conflict prevention, peace building, and decision-making institutions; 
 
include goals and evaluation plans to ensure strategy effectiveness; and
 
 include a specific implementation plan from each relevant federal agency. 
 
 
The President is urged to promote women's participation in conflict prevention, in coordination with international partners.
 
 (Sec. 6) The Department of State and the Department of Defense (DOD) shall ensure that specified personnel receive training in conflict prevention, mitigation, and resolution and on other related topics.
 
(Sec. 7) The State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) may establish guidelines for overseas U.S. personnel to consult with appropriate stakeholders regarding U.S. efforts to: (1) prevent, mitigate, or resolve violent conflict; and (2) enhance the success of mediation and negotiation processes by ensuring the meaningful participation of women. 
 
 The State Department is urged to work with international, regional, national, and local organizations to increase the participation of women in international peacekeeping operations.
 
(Sec. 8) The State Department, in conjunction with USAID and DOD and within a year of the first submission of the strategy, shall brief Congress on existing, enhanced, or newly established training carried out pursuant to this bill. The President, within two years of the submission of each strategy, shall report to Congress regarding its implementation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-21
text: Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 152.
action_date: 2017-06-20
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2017-06-20
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4970-4972)
action_date: 2017-06-20
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H4970-4972)
action_date: 2017-06-20
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2484.
action_date: 2017-06-20
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4970-4974)
action_date: 2017-06-20
text: Mr. Royce (CA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2017-05-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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: 2017-05-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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: 2017-05-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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: 2017-05-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-17
text: Introduced in House