To support the human rights of Uyghurs and members of other minority groups residing primarily in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and safeguard their distinct identity, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-hr-4785
Sponsor: Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-39]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Albania
Asia
Canada
China
Congressional oversight
Congressional tributes
Department of State
Detention of persons
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Europe
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Germany
Government information and archives
Human rights
International exchange and broadcasting
International organizations and cooperation
Protest and dissent
Racial and ethnic relations
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Religion
Turkey
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Uyghur Policy Act of 2021

 
This bill addresses human rights issues concerning the Uyghurs and other minority groups in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China.
 
The bill authorizes the establishment of a Special Coordinator for Uyghur Issues position within the Department of State. 
 
The State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs may, subject to appropriations, make certain funds available to human rights advocates working on behalf of Uyghurs and members of other minority groups. The funds, if made available, shall be used to facilitate the presence of such human rights advocates at public diplomacy forums to speak on issues related to the human rights and religious freedoms of minority groups in Xinjiang. 
 
The State Department must ensure that Uyghur language training is available to Foreign Service officers. It must also ensure that a Uyghur-speaking member of the Foreign Service is assigned to U.S. diplomatic and consular missions in China.

action_date: 2022-12-01
text: 

Uyghur Policy Act of 2021

 
This bill addresses human rights issues concerning the Uyghurs and other minority groups in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China.
 
The bill authorizes the establishment of a Special Coordinator for Uyghur Issues position within the Department of State. 
 
The State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs may, subject to appropriations, make certain funds available to human rights advocates working on behalf of Uyghurs and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups persecuted in China. The funds, if made available, shall be used to facilitate the presence of such human rights advocates at public diplomacy forums to speak on issues related to the human rights and religious freedoms of minority groups persecuted in China. 
 
The State Department must ensure that Uyghur language training is available to Foreign Service officers. It must also ensure that a Uyghur-speaking member of the Foreign Service is assigned to U.S. diplomatic and consular missions in China.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-05
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2022-12-01
text: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2022-12-01
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2022-12-01
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 407 - 17 (Roll no. 494). (text: 11/29/2022 CR H8633-8634)
action_date: 2022-12-01
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): 407 - 17 (Roll no. 494).
action_date: 2022-12-01
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H8695-8696)
action_date: 2022-11-29
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: 2022-11-29
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4785.
action_date: 2022-11-29
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8633-8637)
action_date: 2022-11-29
text: Ms. Jacobs (CA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2021-09-30
text: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2021-09-30
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2021-08-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia and Nonproliferation.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House