BURMA Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2937
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2021-10-05 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
Bangladesh
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Burma
China
Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Crimes against children
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Detention of persons
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Domestic violence and child abuse
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Europe
Evidence and witnesses
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign and international banking
Foreign and international corporations
Foreign property
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Human rights
International monetary system and foreign exchange
International organizations and cooperation
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Mining
News media and reporting
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Protest and dissent
Racial and ethnic relations
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Religion
Russia
Sanctions
Television and film
Terrorism
Thailand
Trade restrictions
United Nations
Visas and passports
War and emergency powers
War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity
Women's rights

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: 

Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2021 or the BURMA Act of 2021

 
This bill imposes sanctions pertaining to Burma (Myanmar) and addresses related issues. 
 
The President must impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions on certain foreign persons (i.e., an individual or entity), including those that (1) knowingly operate in Burma's defense sector, (2) are responsible for or complicit in undermining Burma's democratic processes, or (3) are senior leaders in Burma's military or government. The Department of the Treasury must prohibit or impose strict conditions on certain accounts used to facilitate transactions for such sanctioned persons. 
 
The President may impose sanctions on Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise if such sanctions would support certain objectives, including reducing the Burmese military's ability to undermine democracy in Burma. The President may also prohibit imports of precious and semiprecious gemstones from Burma. 
 
Before removing certain foreign persons from a list of specially designated nationals and blocked persons (commonly known as the SDN list), the President must certify to Congress that the person in question has not knowingly engaged in certain activities, such as supporting terrorism. 
 
The bill authorizes Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development activities in Burma and the surrounding region to support democracy activists, humanitarian assistance, and reconciliation efforts. The State Department may (1) continue to assist organizations supporting political prisoners in Burma, and (2) provide assistance to entities investigating crimes against humanity. 
 
The President must direct U.S. representatives to the United Nations to vote and advocate for certain actions related to Burma, such as cutting off assistance to Burma's government.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6920-6921)
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: Introduced in Senate