Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-3190
Sponsor: Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-16]
Introduced: 2019-06-11 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
Assault and harassment offenses
Bangladesh
Burma
Business ethics
Child safety and welfare
Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Crimes against women
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Economic development
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Evidence and witnesses
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign and international corporations
Foreign property
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Human rights
Human trafficking
International organizations and cooperation
Judicial procedure and administration
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military personnel and dependents
Mining
News media and reporting
Racial and ethnic relations
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Religion
Rule of law and government transparency
Sanctions
Sex offenses
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Terrorism
Thailand
U.S. and foreign investments
United Nations
Visas and passports
War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity

Summary:
action_date: 2019-06-11
text: 

Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2019 or the BURMA Act of 2019

 
This act imposes sanctions, limits security assistance, authorizes assistance, and requires the establishment of various programs and strategies related to Burma (Myanmar).
 
The President shall impose sanctions against current or former officials who are responsible for or who supported serious human rights abuses in Burma, as well as against entities controlled by such officials and military-linked entities that provide such officials significant financial benefits. The sanctions shall include asset blocking and visa blocking.
 
The bill authorizes humanitarian aid for Burma, Bangladesh, and the surrounding region for various purposes, including aid for ethnic minorities targeted by Burma's military and support for voluntary resettlement of displaced persons. The bill also prohibits security assistance for or security cooperation with Burma's military and security forces, with exceptions for certain existing programs related to training, research, and reconciliation. 
 
The Department of State shall maintain a publicly available website listing entities in Burma's gemstone sector that meet certain transparency and due-diligence requirements related to ownership, control, and supply-chain standards. The State Department shall also issue guidance for U.S. companies as to best practices for supply-chain due diligence when dealing with Burmese gemstone entities. 
 
The State Department shall report to Congress on topics including (1) accountability for war crimes in Burma, (2) a strategy for promoting economic development in Burma, and (3) a strategy for U.S. engagement with Burma's military and security forces. 

action_date: 2019-09-24
text: 

Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2019 or the BURMA Act of 2019

 
This act imposes sanctions, authorizes assistance, and requires the establishment of various programs and strategies related to Burma (Myanmar).
 
The President shall impose sanctions against current or former officials who are responsible for or who supported serious human rights abuses in Burma, as well as against entities controlled by such officials and military-linked entities that provide such officials significant financial benefits. The sanctions shall include asset blocking and visa blocking.
 
The bill authorizes humanitarian aid for Burma, Bangladesh, and the surrounding region for various purposes, including aid for ethnic minorities targeted by Burma's military and support for voluntary resettlement of displaced persons. 
 
The Department of State shall maintain a publicly available website listing entities in Burma's gemstone sector that meet certain transparency and due-diligence requirements related to ownership, control, and supply-chain standards. The State Department shall also issue guidance for U.S. companies as to best practices for supply-chain due diligence when dealing with Burmese gemstone entities. 
 
The State Department shall report to Congress on topics including (1) accountability for war crimes in Burma, and (2) a strategy for promoting economic development in Burma. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 394 - 21 (Roll no. 541). (text: CR H7878-7883)
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 394 - 21 (Roll no. 541).(text: CR H7878-7883)
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7888-7889)
action_date: 2019-09-24
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: 2019-09-24
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3190.
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7878-7885)
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: Mr. Levin (MI) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2019-06-20
text: Committee Agreed to Seek Consideration Under Suspension of the Rules.
action_date: 2019-06-20
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2019-06-20
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2019-06-11
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, the Judiciary, Financial Services, 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: 2019-06-11
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, the Judiciary, Financial Services, 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: 2019-06-11
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, the Judiciary, Financial Services, 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: 2019-06-11
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, the Judiciary, Financial Services, 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: 2019-06-11
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, the Judiciary, Financial Services, 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: 2019-06-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-06-11
text: Introduced in House