Otto Warmbier Countering North Korean Censorship and Surveillance Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2129
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2021-06-17 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Asia
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign property
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
International exchange and broadcasting
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Natural disasters
North Korea
Public-private cooperation
Sanctions
U.S. Agency for Global Media
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: 

Otto Warmbier Countering North Korean Censorship and Surveillance Act of 2021

 
This bill authorizes sanctions related to censorship in North Korea and addresses related issues.
 
The President may impose property-blocking sanctions on foreign government entities, key government officials, and security forces responsible for implementing or facilitating North Korea's censorship laws and surveillance. For the individuals that meet such criteria, the President may also impose visa-blocking sanctions. 
 
The bill also authorizes the U.S. Agency for Global Media to provide increased broadcasting and grants for various purposes, including the development of internet freedom tools to facilitate information sharing related to North Korea and the restoration of the agency's broadcasting capacity to North Korea. 
 
The President must submit to Congress a strategy to combat North Korea's information environment. 

action_date: 2021-10-28
text: 

Otto Warmbier Countering North Korean Censorship and Surveillance Act of 2021

 
This bill authorizes sanctions related to censorship in North Korea and addresses related issues.
 
The President may impose property-blocking sanctions on foreign individuals and entities responsible for implementing or facilitating North Korea's censorship laws and surveillance. For the individuals that meet such criteria, the President may also impose visa-blocking sanctions. 
 
The bill also authorizes the U.S. Agency for Global Media to provide increased broadcasting and grants for various purposes, including the development of internet freedom tools to facilitate information sharing related to North Korea and the restoration of the agency's broadcasting capacity to North Korea. 
 
The President must submit to Congress a strategy to combat North Korea's information environment. The Department of State and the Department of the Treasury must jointly report to Congress each year on U.S. government activities related to the enforcement of sanctions against North Korea. 

action_date: 2022-06-16
text: 

Otto Warmbier Countering North Korean Censorship and Surveillance Act of 2021

 
This bill authorizes sanctions related to censorship in North Korea and addresses related issues.
 
The President may impose property-blocking sanctions on foreign individuals and entities responsible for implementing or facilitating North Korea's censorship laws and surveillance. For the individuals that meet such criteria, the President may also impose visa-blocking sanctions. 
 
The bill also authorizes the U.S. Agency for Global Media to provide increased broadcasting and grants for various purposes, including the development of internet freedom tools to facilitate information sharing related to North Korea and the restoration of the agency's broadcasting capacity to North Korea. 
 
The President must submit to Congress a strategy to combat North Korea's information environment. The Department of State and the Department of the Treasury must jointly report to Congress each year on U.S. government activities related to the enforcement of sanctions against North Korea. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-06-21
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2022-06-21
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2022-06-21
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2022-06-16
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S3011-3013; text: CR S3011-3013)
action_date: 2022-06-16
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S3011-3013; text: CR S3011-3013)
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 159.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-10-19
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in Senate