Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-1392
Sponsor: Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]
Introduced: 2021-02-26 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
Assault and harassment offenses
Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Detention of persons
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Europe
Foreign aid and international relief
Government studies and investigations
Human rights
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Licensing and registrations
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
News media and reporting
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Protest and dissent
Sanctions
Saudi Arabia
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Turkey
Violent crime
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-26
text: 

Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act of 2021

 
This bill imposes limits on arms sales to Saudi Arabia and requires various reports and actions related to the death of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
 
The President may not transfer or authorize for export certain defense articles or services to Saudi Arabia for 120 days after this bill's enactment. After this period, the prohibition shall remain in effect unless the President periodically certifies to Congress that Saudi Arabia has not conducted (1) forced repatriation, silencing, or killing of dissidents in other countries; (2) unjust imprisonment in Saudi Arabia of U.S. citizens or lawful aliens; or (3) torture of detainees in custody of the government of Saudi Arabia. 
 
The President shall certify to Congress that individuals with Saudi diplomatic credentials are not using such credentials to track or harass Saudi nationals in the United States. If the President does not make such a certification, the President shall close at least one Saudi diplomatic or consular facility in the United States until the certification is made. 
 
The bill requires reports to Congress on (1) whether any Saudi officials have engaged in a consistent pattern of harassment against any individual in the United States, and (2) whether the intelligence community fulfilled its duty to warn Khashoggi of the threats to his life. 

action_date: 2021-04-21
text: 

Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act of 2021

 
This bill imposes temporary limits on arms sales to Saudi Arabia and requires various reports and actions related to the death of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
 
The President may not transfer or authorize for export certain defense articles or services to Saudi Arabia for 120 days after this bill's enactment. The prohibition shall remain in effect for up to three years unless the President periodically certifies to Congress that Saudi Arabia has not conducted (1) forced repatriation, intimidation, or killing of dissidents in other countries; (2) unjust imprisonment in Saudi Arabia of U.S. citizens or lawful aliens; or (3) torture of detainees in custody of the government of Saudi Arabia. 
 
The President shall certify to Congress that individuals with Saudi diplomatic credentials are not using such credentials to track or harass Saudi nationals in the United States. If the President does not make such a certification, the President shall close at least one Saudi diplomatic or consular facility in the United States until the certification is made. 
 
The bill requires reports to Congress on (1) whether any Saudi officials have engaged in a consistent pattern of harassment against any individual in the United States, and (2) whether the intelligence community fulfilled its duty to warn Khashoggi of the threats to his life.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-22
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-04-21
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2021-04-21
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 350 - 71 (Roll no. 130). (text: 04/19/2021 CR H1939-1941)
action_date: 2021-04-21
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): 350 - 71 (Roll no. 130).(text: 04/19/2021 CR H1939-1941)
action_date: 2021-04-21
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2032)
action_date: 2021-04-19
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: 2021-04-19
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1392.
action_date: 2021-04-19
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1939-1942)
action_date: 2021-04-19
text: Mr. Meeks moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2021-03-25
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2021-03-25
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2021-02-26
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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: 2021-02-26
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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: 2021-02-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-02-26
text: Introduced in House