zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Humanitarian Assistance Facilitation Act of 2013 - Expresses the sense of Congress that humanitarian organizations acting in good faith and with the appropriate restrictions and controls in place should not be prevented from providing aid to civilian populations before or early on in humanitarian crises, such as in the famine in al-Shabaab-controlled areas of Somalia.

Amends the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to permit under specified conditions persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction to enter into transactions with certain sanctioned foreign persons that are customary, necessary, and incidental to the donation or provision of goods or services to prevent or alleviate the suffering of civilian populations.

Directs the Secretary of State to establish an Advisory Council on United States Policy Related to Non-Governmental Activities to Prevent and Respond to Human Suffering in Areas Affected By Certain Sanctioned Foreign Persons.

Amends the federal criminal code to exclude from the definition of "material support or resources" (regarding foreign terrorist organizations) engaging in speech or communication with a terrorist organization to prevent or alleviate the suffering of a civilian population, including speech or communication to reduce or eliminate the frequency and severity of violent conflict and reducing its impact on the civilian population.

Date: 2013-11-18
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Walter Patterson and Werner Foerster Justice and Extradition Act - Directs the President to report annually to Congress regarding: (1) the number of fugitives and others residing in other countries for whom the United States is seeking extradition or rendition and a list of those countries; (2) U.S. diplomatic and other efforts to secure such fugitives' return; (3) the average length of time these cases have been outstanding; (4) the number of satisfactorily resolved cases; (5) factors that have been barriers to case resolution; and (6) information on the number of U.S. citizens whose extradition has been sought by other countries during the past five years, a list of those countries seeking extradition, and the outcomes of those requests.

Date: 2013-11-21
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Palestinian Peace Promotion and Ant-Incitement Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the Palestinian Authority (PA) has not lived up to its agreements with Israel to end incitement and should do more to prepare the Palestinian people for peace with Israel.

 Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to make funds available for the PA only during a period for which a certification or a recertification is in effect that contains a determination by the President that the PA: (1) no longer engages in a pattern of incitement against the United States or Israel, and (2) is engaged in activities aimed at promoting peace with the Jewish State of Israel.

Requires that: (1) recertifications with related reports be made every six months and transmitted to Congress; and (2) if unable to make such a recertification, the President report the reasons to Congress.

Date: 2014-01-14
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Global Development Lab Act of 2014 - Establishes in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) the United States Global Development Lab whose responsibilities should include:

 increasing the application of science, technology, innovation and partnerships to develop and scale solutions to end extreme poverty; discovering, testing, and scaling development innovations to increase cost effectiveness and support U.S. foreign policy and development goals; leveraging the expertise and resources of businesses, nongovernmental organizations, science and research organizations, and universities to increase program impact; utilizing innovation-driven competitions to expand solutions to development challenges; and supporting USAID Missions and Bureaus in applying science, technology, innovation, and partnership approaches to decision making, procurement, and program design.

Date: 2014-06-19
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
United States Leadership to Eradicate Obstetric Fistula Act of 2014 - Directs the President, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), to establish a 10-year strategy to combat obstetric fistula in sub-Saharan Africa that strengthens the capacity of the United States to be an effective leader in the movement for international women's health and empowerment.

Authorizes the President, through USAID, to make grants to, or enter into contracts with, a university-based medical center in the United States to carry out activities to prevent, treat, and monitor obstetric fistula in sub-Saharan African countries.

Provides for the establishment at the center of an International Obstetric Fistula Institute for Sub-Saharan Africa which shall:

 serve as the primary administrative and medical-training hub; initiate and oversee training and clinical activities of physicians, other health professionals, and educators serving at Centers of Clinical Excellence; ensure an increase in health system and workforce capacity to prevent, treat, and monitor obstetric fistula in each country in which a Center of Clinical Excellence is located; establish at least eight Centers of Clinical Excellence for Obstetric Fistula Care; and establish a United States Obstetric Fistula Treatment and Prevention Corps to provide volunteer medical services and train local surgeons and other health professionals in techniques of obstetric fistula repair and in other aspects of the care of women with obstetric fistula. Establishes the United States Advisory Committee for the Eradication of Obstetric Fistula.

Date: 2014-06-26
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Global Food Security Act of 2014 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the President, in providing assistance to implement the Global Food Security Strategy, should:

 coordinate federal efforts to implement the Strategy, utilize open and streamlined solicitations to allow for the participation of a wide range of implementing partners, and strengthen existing partnerships between developing country institutions of agricultural sciences with U.S. universities with a focus on building the agriculture capacities of developing nation universities. Directs the President to coordinate the development and implementation of a comprehensive global food security strategy.

 Authorizes the President to provide assistance to implement the Global Food Security Strategy. Authorizes FY2015 appropriations.

Date: 2014-09-18
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Ebola Emergency Response Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that:

 the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa poses severe health, economic, and security threats to the affected countries, the United States, and the broader international community; and the whole-of-government response taken by the United States provides capabilities critical to helping contain Ebola in West Africa; yet the United States alone will not succeed in containing it. Directs the President to:

 coordinate with the governments of affected African countries, the private sector, regional and international financial institutions and international organizations, civil society, and nongovernmental organizations to implement a comprehensive Ebola control strategy and assist affected populations; and use U.S. influence at the United Nations (U.N.) to ensure that the U.N. Mission in Liberia is protecting individuals under its care and playing an active emergency response role, and ensuring that the U.N. Mission for the Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) is playing an effective role in aligning donors around a plan to detect, contain, treat, and deter Ebola's further spread. Authorizes the President to provide specified emergency assistance to countries directly affected by or at imminent risk of being affected by the Ebola outbreak.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should work with other donors, including international financial institutions, to encourage them to: (1) help the governments of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone mitigate the risks of economic collapse and related civil unrest by providing access to emergency grants and financing tools to address fiscal issues that are the direct result of the Ebola crisis; and (2) assist with post-crisis economic recovery.

Date: 2014-11-14
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
African Descent Act of 2014 - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to direct the Secretary of State to establish within the Department of State an Office of Global African Descent Affairs, to be headed by the Director and Special Advisor to the Secretary on Global African Descent Affairs.

Includes among Office functions: (1) advising the Secretary and directing policies, programs, and funding relating to the human rights and the advancement of people of African descent internationally; (2) managing a fund for people of African descent to invest in solutions to combat racial discrimination and create economic and political opportunities for people of African descent internationally; and (3) compiling an annual report on U.S. government activities relating to people of African descent.

Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to include in the annual human rights report for countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East a description of the status and the people of African descent in each country.

Directs the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to appoint a Senior Advisor to the Administrator on Global African Descent Affairs who shall: (1) advise the Administrator and direct policies, programs, and funding relating to the human rights and advancement of people of African descent internationally; and (2) develop a uniform set of indicators and standards for monitoring and evaluating foreign assistance for people of African descent.

Requires the Director and Special Advisor to the Secretary on Global African Descent Affairs to develop or update annually (for five years) a U.S. global strategy to empower, prevent, and respond to discrimination and violence against people of African descent.

Date: 2014-12-10
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Improvements in Global Maternal and Newborn Health Outcomes while Maximizing Successes Act or Improvements in Global MOMS Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish assistance to reduce newborn mortality and improve maternal health and the health of newborns in developing countries, including HIV/AIDS prevention programs.

Directs the President to implement a comprehensive strategy to reduce mortality and improve the health of mothers and newborns in developing countries that integrates U.S. government efforts on improving maternal and newborn health, including strategies with respect to HIV/AIDS, gender, child survival.

Date: 2014-12-11
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Global Democracy Promotion Act - Declares that foreign nongovernmental organizations: (1) shall not be ineligible for assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 solely on the basis of health or medical services (including counseling and referral services) provided by them with non-U.S. government funds if such services do not violate the laws of the country in which they are being provided, and would not violate U.S. federal law if provided in the United States; and (2) shall not be subject to requirements relating to the use of non-U.S. government funds for advocacy and lobbying activities other than those that apply to U.S. nongovernmental organizations receiving such assistance.

Date: 2013-01-23
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Zimbabwe Sanctions Repeal Act of 2013 - Repeals the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001. (The Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001 prohibits U.S. support through international financial institutions for debt relief and other economic development aid to Zimbabwe until certain conditions to restore democracy and the rule of law are met.)

Date: 2013-03-07
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Syria Democratic Transition Act of 2013 - Authorizes the President to furnish assistance in order to: (1) provide support for humanitarian activities taking place in and outside Syria; (2) support efforts for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Syria and the establishment of an inclusive representative form of government; (3) encourage the Arab League and other international bodies to insist that transitional and future governments in Syria are committed to democratic principles, including respect for human rights and religious freedom; (4) contribute seed funding to establish a Syria Reconstruction Fund for the physical reconstruction and reestablishment of basic services in Syria after the fall of the Assad regime; and (5) support post-transition efforts.

Authorizes the President to provide assistance to: (1) the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) and the Assistance Coordination Unit to enhance their ability to provide basic services to the people of Syria and establish the beginnings of a functioning government; (2) provide training to members of the SOC and Free Syrian Army (FSA); (3) provide non-lethal equipment and training to vetted members of the FSA; and (4) allocate additional Department of State personnel to conduct vetting of opposition individuals receiving aid.

Directs the President to prohibit the opening, and prohibit or impose strict conditions on the maintaining, in the United States of any account by a foreign financial institution that the President determines has conducted significant arms sales to the government of Bashar al Assad through the Central Bank of Syria or other Syrian financial institution designated for the imposition of sanctions. Provides an exception with respect to humanitarian transactions. Allows the President, following congressional notification, to waive or terminate any such sanction that is in the national security interest.

Urges the President to: (1) instruct United Nations (U.N.) voluntary agencies to use the voice and vote of the United States to support additional humanitarian and development assistance to Syria, and (2) increase bilateral funding to countries which have experienced an influx of refugees from Syria.

Urges the Secretary of State to work with appropriate international and regional organizations to convene an international donors group to maximize contributed resources and provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Syria.

Urges the United States to develop a plan for securing conventional and unconventional weapons in Syria and preventing their illicit sale or transfer out of Syria.

Date: 2013-03-19
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act of 2013 - (Sec. 2) Directs the President to establish guidelines for the establishment of measurable goals, performance metrics, and monitoring and evaluation plans for U.S. foreign assistance programs.

Requires: (1) each appropriate federal department or agency to begin using such guidelines within one year after their establishment, and (2) the President to submit a related report to Congress within 18 months.

States that the Secretary of State shall not be required to implement guidelines for certain security sector assistance programs to the extent that the President is already taking steps to implement measures with respect to similar security sector assistance.

Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to submit related reports to Congress.

(Sec. 3) Directs the President to require the Secretary of State to revise the Department of State's Internet website, ForeignAssistance.gov, to make publicly available comprehensive and accessible information on U.S. foreign assistance programs on a country-by-country and program-by program basis.

(Sec. 4) Expresses the sense of Congress that Congress shall take into account certain GAO reports required by this Act when making decisions regarding the appropriation of funds for each department or agency that administers U.S. foreign assistance.

(Sec. 5) Authorizes a department or agency to use up to 5% of its foreign development assistance funds for activities under this Act.

Date: 2013-07-10
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Egyptian Military Coup Act of 2013 - Prohibits U.S. government assistance from being provided to Egypt pursuant to the coup d'etat restriction under the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Act, 2012.

 Suspends the provision of specified defense articles and services, and the processing of letters of offer and acceptance for future arms sales, until the President certifies to Congress that democratic national elections have taken place in Egypt followed by a peaceful transfer of power.

Date: 2013-07-11
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Haiti and Armenia Reforestation Act of 2013 - Authorizes the President to: (1) provide Haiti and Armenia with financial assistance, technology transfers, or capacity building assistance to reduce deforestation and increase afforestation and reforestation; (2) establish a grant program to reverse deforestation and improve reforestation and afforestation in Haiti and Armenia; (3) make grants to nongovernmental organizations for the open-market purchase of discounted government of Haiti debt in exchange for forest restoration commitments by the government; and (4) forgive debt owed to the United States by the government of Armenia in exchange for forest restoration commitments by the government.

Date: 2013-09-25
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act - Treats cash contributions made after the enactment of this Act and before April 15, 2014, for the relief of victims in areas affected by Typhoon Haiyan as having been made on December 31, 2013, for purposes of the tax deduction for charitable contributions. Deems such a contribution as meeting the recordkeeping requirements of the Internal Revenue Code if the taxpayer produces a telephone bill showing the name of the donee organization and the date and amount of the contribution.

Date: 2013-12-12
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: Taxation
Clean Cookstoves and Fuels Support Act - Directs the Secretary of State to work to advance the goals of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves.

Authorizes appropriations for the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Peace Corps to work with the Alliance.

Expresses the sense of Congress that such departments and agencies should be provided sufficient future funding to work with the Alliance.

Date: 2014-03-10
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
21st Century Global Health Technology Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to establish within the Health and Infectious Diseases and Nutrition Section of the Global Health Bureau of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) a program to develop technologies designed to: (1) improve the health and nutrition of populations in developing countries; (2) reduce maternal, newborn, and child mortality in such countries; and (3) improve the diagnosis, prevention, and reduction of disease, especially HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases in such countries.

States that such program shall be carried out under a cooperative agreement between USAID and one or more institutions with a successful record of advancing the technologies described in this Act and integrating practical field experience into the research and development process.

States that USAID's Center for Accelerating Innovation and Impact shall continue its work to speed the development, introduction, and scale-up of priority global health interventions.

Directs USAID to report annually to Congress for four years on USAID research and development activities.

Date: 2014-05-22
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Food for Peace Reform Act of 2014 - Establishes the Food for Peace program in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. (Repeals authority for the current program under title II of the Food for Peace Act, including certain U.S. commodity purchase, U.S. cargo, and monetization requirements.)

Authorizes USAID to provide emergency and nonemergency foreign assistance, including through the provision of U.S. commodities or local or regional procurement.

Authorizes nonemergency assistance to combat malnutrition and hunger, mitigate food crises, and promote resilient food security.

Sets forth minimum funding levels for nonemergency assistance.

Establishes the Food Aid Consultative Group, which shall:

 test options for improved product packaging and storage; reform commodity acquisition and supply chain management; increase private sector development in food aid products, packaging, and delivery; provide guidance on how best to use food aid commodities, including guidance on ensuring that the products reach their intended recipients; and strengthen commodity quality monitoring. Requires USAID to:

 assess the types and quality of agricultural commodities and products donated for food aid; adjust products to cost-effectively meet nutrient needs of target populations; test prototypes; adopt new, or improve existing, specifications for micronutrient fortified food aid products; develop program guidance for matching products to nutrient purposes; and evaluate performance and cost-effectiveness of food products and programs for vulnerable groups, such as pregnant mothers and young children. Authorizes ocean transportation of agricultural commodities to be procured through full and open competitive procedures.

Requires USAID to avoid displacing sales of U.S. agricultural commodities.

Prohibits Program assistance from being made available unless USAID determines that the provision of the agricultural commodity in the recipient country would not: (1) result in substantial interference with the domestic production or marketing of agricultural commodities in the country, or (2) have a disruptive impact on the agricultural producers or the local economy of the country.

 Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. Merchant Marine: (1) is a critical component of the nation's military and economic security; and (2) consists of a fleet of private, U.S.-registered merchant ships that provides domestic and international transportation for passengers and cargo.

Date: 2014-06-03
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Global Food Security Act of 2014 - States the policy objective of promoting global food and nutrition security which is reinforced through programs that eradicate hunger and malnutrition, assist foreign countries with agricultural development, and ensure the effective use of U.S. taxpayer dollars to further these objectives.

Requires the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to coordinate the development and implementation of a Feed the Future Strategy to accomplish these policy objectives.

Requires the Administrator to coordinate the efforts of federal departments and agencies in the implementation of the strategy by: (1) establishing policy coherence, monitoring, and evaluation systems across all relevant U.S. agencies; (2) establishing linkages with other initiatives and strategies at USAID and other departments and agencies; (3) establishing platforms for regular consultation and collaboration with key stakeholders; (4) leveraging the expertise of the Department of Agriculture (USDA); and (5) establishing and leading regular public consultations in partner countries.

Requires the Administrator to submit reports to Congress describing the status of the implementation of the Feed the Future Strategy.

Date: 2014-09-18
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Senator Paul Simon Water for the World Act of 2014 - (Sec. 2) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) water and sanitation are critically important resources that impact many aspects of human life, and (2) the United States should be a global leader in helping provide sustainable access to clean water and sanitation for the world's most vulnerable populations.

(Sec. 3) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as added by the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005, to include the provision of safe hygiene among the goals of the program providing assistance for safe water and sanitation.

(Sec. 4) Directs the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), or the Administrator's designee, to serve concurrently as the USAID Global Water Coordinator, and to:

 oversee USAID water, sanitation, and hygiene programs; lead the implementation and revision, at least once every five years, of USAID's portion of the Global Water Strategy; and expand USAID's program capacity in high priority countries. Directs the Secretary of State, or the Secretary's designee, to serve concurrently as the Department of State Special Advisor for Water Resources, and serve similar functions in the Department of State as the Global Water Coordinator does in USAID.

(Sec. 5) Directs the Administrator to ensure that USAID projects and programs are designed to achieve maximum impact and long-term sustainability by prioritizing countries based upon:

 the population using unimproved drinking water or sanitation sources; the number of children younger than five years of age who died from diarrheal disease; and the government's capacity and commitment to work with the United States to improve access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene. Directs the President to: (1) designate by October 1, 2015, at least 10 countries as high priority countries to be the primary recipients of U.S. government assistance under this Act during FY2016, and notify Congress of such designations; and (2) make new designations each year.

(Sec. 6) Directs the President, not later than October 1, 2017, and every five years thereafter, through the Secretary, the Administrator, and the heads of other federal departments and agencies, to submit a single government-wide Global Water Strategy to Congress that describes how the United States intends to:

 increase access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene in high priority countries; improve the management of water resources and watersheds in such countries; and work to prevent and resolve intra- and trans-boundary conflicts over water resources in such countries. Requires: (1) the Global Water Strategy to include plans by USAID and the Department on how each entity carries out its responsibilities under this Act, and (2) the Administrator to develop for each high priority country a plan to increase access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Date: 2014-11-19
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
African Descent Affairs Act of 2015

Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to direct the Secretary of State to establish within the Department of State an Office of Global African Descent Affairs, to be headed by the Director and Special Advisor to the Secretary on Global African Descent Affairs.

Includes among Office functions:

 advising the Secretary and directing policies, programs, and funding relating to the human rights and the advancement of people of African descent internationally; developing and managing the President Obama Fund for African Descent Affairs to invest in solutions to combat racial discrimination and create economic and political opportunities for people of African descent internationally; directing U.S. government resources to respond to needs for protection, integration, resettlement, and empowerment of people of African descent in U.S. policies and international programs; and compiling an annual report on U.S. government activities relating to people of African descent. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to include in the annual human rights report for countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East a description of the status and the people of African descent in each country.

Directs the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development to appoint a Senior Advisor to the Administrator on Global African Descent Affairs who shall: (1) advise the Administrator and direct policies, programs, and funding relating to the human rights and advancement of people of African descent internationally; and (2) develop a uniform set of indicators and standards for monitoring and evaluating foreign assistance for people of African descent.

Requires the Director and Special Advisor to the Secretary on Global African Descent Affairs to develop or update annually (for 10 years after the initial report) a U.S. global strategy to empower, prevent, and respond to discrimination and violence against people of African descent.

Date: 2015-02-24
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Global Food Security Act of 2016 

This bill requires the President to develop and implement a Global Food Security Strategy to promote global food security, resilience, and nutrition.

(Sec. 2) This section specifies that it is in the U.S. national security interest to promote global food security, resilience, and nutrition, consistent with national food security investment plans through programs and activities that:

 accelerate inclusive, agricultural-led economic growth that reduces global poverty, hunger, and malnutrition; increase the productivity, incomes, and livelihoods of small-scale producers; build resilience to food shocks among vulnerable populations and households while reducing reliance upon emergency food assistance; create an environment for agricultural growth and investment; improve the nutritional status of women and children; align with and leverage U.S strategies and investments in trade, economic growth, science and technology, agricultural research and extension, maternal and child health, nutrition, and water, sanitation, and hygiene; strengthen partnerships between U.S. and foreign universities that build agricultural capacity; and ensure the effective use of taxpayer dollars in achieving these objectives. (Sec. 3) This section sets forth definitions that apply to this bill.

(Sec. 4) The President must coordinate a whole-of-government strategy to promote global food security, resilience, and nutrition, consistent with national food security investment plans.

This section specifies required goals and criteria for the strategy. The President must coordinate the efforts of federal departments and agencies to implement the strategy by establishing: (1) monitoring and evaluation systems, coherence, and coordination across federal departments and agencies; and (2) platforms for regular consultation and collaboration with key stakeholders and congressional committees.

The President must submit the strategy, including agency-specific plans, to Congress by October 1, 2016.

(Sec. 5) To carry out the strategy, the President may provide assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to prevent or address food shortages.

(Sec. 6) The President must report annually to Congress on the implementation of the Global Food Security Strategy.

(Sec. 7) This section specifies that nothing in the Global Food Security Strategy or this bill should be construed to supersede or otherwise affect the authority of federal departments and agencies to carry out specified food and nutrition security or emergency and nonemergency food assistance programs.

Date: 2015-03-24
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Global Democracy Promotion Act

States that, with respect to eligibility for assistance under part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, foreign nongovernmental organizations shall not be ineligible for such assistance solely on the basis of health or medical services provided by such organizations with non-U.S. government funds if such services do not violate the laws of the country in which they are being provided and would not violate U.S. federal law if provided in the United States.

Declares in addition that foreign nongovernmental organizations shall not be subject to requirements relating to the use of non-U.S. government funds for advocacy and lobbying activities other than those that apply to U.S. nongovernmental organizations receiving assistance under part I of such Act.

Date: 2015-06-11
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Nepal Recovery Act

This bill authorizes the President to provide technical and financial assistance for programs that: (1) improve Nepal's basic infrastructure following the earthquakes in affected communities; (2) support economic growth, including through agriculture and small-scale enterprise opportunities; (3) promote health and basic education programs; and (4) support democracy programs that promote political reforms, including strengthening democratic institutions and rule of law.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency may provide accelerated response in Nepal for:

 project identification and investment analyses; trade capacity building and sector development activities, including technical assistance and feasibility studies that support investments in infrastructure that contribute to overseas development; and trade capacity building and sector development assistance supporting the establishment of industry standards, market liberalization, and other policy reform, with a particular focus on engineering and construction. The U.S Agency for International Development shall report to Congress regarding:

 the effectiveness of U.S. investment in Nepal in disaster risk reduction and recovery program improvement; and the effectiveness of international humanitarian and reconstruction assistance provided to Nepal, and a related assessment of U.S. anti-corruption efforts. The Department of State shall report to Congress regarding impediments to Nepal's recovery efforts.

Date: 2016-03-02
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Food for Peace Reform Act of 2015

 Establishes the Food for Peace program in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. (Repeals authority for the current program under title II of the Food for Peace Act, including certain U.S. commodity purchase, U.S. cargo, and monetization requirements.)

Authorizes USAID to provide emergency and nonemergency foreign assistance, including through the provision of U.S. commodities or local or regional procurement.

Authorizes nonemergency assistance to combat malnutrition and hunger, mitigate food crises, and promote resilient food security.

Sets forth minimum funding levels for nonemergency assistance.

Establishes the Food Aid Consultative Group, which shall:

 test options for improved product packaging and storage; reform commodity acquisition and supply chain management; increase private sector development in food aid products, packaging, and delivery; provide guidance on how best to use food aid commodities, including guidance on ensuring that the products reach their intended recipients; and strengthen commodity quality monitoring. Requires USAID to:

 assess the types and quality of agricultural commodities and products donated for food aid; adjust products to cost-effectively meet nutrient needs of target populations; test prototypes; adopt new, or improve existing, specifications for micronutrient fortified food aid products; develop program guidance for matching products to nutrient purposes; and evaluate performance and cost-effectiveness of food products and programs for vulnerable groups, such as pregnant mothers and young children. Authorizes ocean transportation of agricultural commodities to be procured through full and open competitive procedures.

Requires USAID to avoid displacing sales of U.S. agricultural commodities.

Prohibits Program assistance from being made available unless USAID determines that the provision of the agricultural commodity in the recipient country would not: (1) result in substantial interference with the domestic production or marketing of agricultural commodities in the country, or (2) have a disruptive impact on the agricultural producers or the local economy of the country.

 Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. Merchant Marine: (1) is a critical component of the nation's military and economic security; (2) consists of a fleet of private, U.S.-registered merchant ships that provides domestic and international transportation for passengers and cargo; and (3) is an essential part of defense capacity in times of peace and in times of war.

Date: 2015-02-12
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Global Democracy Promotion Act 

Declares that foreign nongovernmental organizations: (1) shall not be ineligible for assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 solely on the basis of health or medical services (including counseling and referral services) provided by them with non-U.S. government funds if such services do not violate the laws of the country in which they are being provided, and would not violate U.S. federal law if provided in the United States; and (2) shall not be subject to requirements relating to the use of non-U.S. government funds for advocacy and lobbying activities other than those that apply to U.S. nongovernmental organizations receiving such assistance.

Date: 2015-03-09
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Human Rights Accountability Act of 2015

This bill requires that 5% of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available for a fiscal year for the Department of State's diplomatic and consular programs (and not designated for worldwide security protection) be withheld from obligation for every 30 days the Department's human rights report is late.

Date: 2015-06-18
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Nepal Recovery Act

(Sec. 5) This bill authorizes the President to provide technical and financial assistance for programs that: (1) improve Nepal's basic infrastructure following the earthquakes in affected communities; (2) support economic growth, including through agriculture and small-scale enterprise opportunities; (3) promote health and basic education programs; and (4) support democracy programs that promote political reforms, including strengthening democratic institutions and rule of law.

The United States Trade and Development Agency may provide accelerated response in Nepal for:

 project identification and investment analyses; trade capacity building and sector development activities, including technical assistance and feasibility studies that support investments in infrastructure that contribute to overseas development; and trade capacity building and sector development assistance supporting the establishment of industry standards, market liberalization, and other policy reform, with a particular focus on engineering and construction. (Sec. 6) The U.S Agency for International Development shall report to Congress regarding:

 the effectiveness of U.S. investment in Nepal in disaster risk reduction and recovery program improvement; and the effectiveness of international humanitarian and reconstruction assistance provided to Nepal, and a related assessment of U.S. anti-corruption efforts. The Department of State shall report to Congress regarding impediments to Nepal's recovery efforts.

(Sec. 7) FY 2017-FY2018 appropriations are authorized.

Date: 2015-07-29
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Education for All Act of 2016

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) it is in the U.S. national security interest to promote universal basic education that includes gender parity in developing countries; and (2) education lays the foundation for increased civic participation, democratic governance, sustained economic growth, and more stable societies.

The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is amended to state that it is U.S. policy to work with partner countries, multilateral institutions, the private sector, and nongovernmental and civil society organizations to promote sustainable, quality basic education by: (1) aligning with the needs and capacities of developing countries to strengthen educational systems, improve teacher skills, and support parental engagement in their children's education; and (2) promoting education as the foundation for economic development.

The President shall ensure that assistance provided to support programs and activities pursuant to such policy is aligned with U.S. diplomatic, economic, and national security interests and that priority is given to developing countries in which: (1) there is the greatest need and opportunity to expand access to basic education, including for marginalized and vulnerable groups, particularly women and girls, or populations affected by conflict or crisis; and (2) such assistance can substantially impact children and educational systems.

The President shall develop a comprehensive U.S. strategy to promote quality basic education in partner countries.

 The bill establishes within the U.S. Agency for International Development a Senior Coordinator of United States International Basic Education Assistance, who shall have primary responsibility for the oversight and coordination of all U.S. government resources and activities relating to the promotion of international basic education programs and activities.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: International Affairs (Foreign Aid)
Subject: International affairs
Pursuit of International Education (PIE) Act of 2007 - Prohibits the use of funds made available to the Department of the Treasury to implement, administer, or enforce regulations to require specific licenses for travel-related transactions directly related to educational activities in Cuba.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007 - (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to ensure the publication every six months in the Federal Register of a list of all persons (as defined by this Act) who have a direct investment in or are conducting business operations in Sudan's power production, mineral extraction, oil-related, or military equipment industries. Sets forth excluded business operations, including operations with: (1) the regional government of southern Sudan; (2) maginalized populations of Sudan; and (3) peacekeeping or humanitarian organizations. (Sec. 4) States that it is U.S. policy to support state and local efforts to divest funds from, or restrict investments in, companies that conduct business operations in Sudan. Authorizes state or local government divestment in such companies. (Sec. 5) Expresses the sense of Congress that a divestment measure authorized or a measure to prohibit state or local contracts would not violate the United States Constitution because such a measure: (1) is not pre-empted under the Supremacy Clause; (2) is authorized by the Congress as an appropriate measure with regard to interstate or foreign commerce; and (3) is authorized by the Congress as a measure that promotes U.S. foreign policy. (Sec. 6) Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to provide a safe harbor from civil, criminal, or administrative action for a registered investment company and its officials and employees based upon the investment company's divesting from or not investing in a company that is on the list as provided for under section 3 this Act. (Sec. 7) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide a safe harbor for employee benefit plan employees based upon the plan's divesting from or not investing in a company that is on such list. (Sec. 8) Prohibits the U.S. government from contracting or renewing a contract for goods or services with a company that is on such list. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition for national security reasons. (Sec. 9) States that it is U.S. policy to support any state or local government decision to prohibit state or local government contracting for goods or services with a company that is on such list. Authorizes a state or local government to prohibit such contracts. (Sec. 10) Defines specified terms. (Sec. 11) Expresses the sense of Congress that other governments should adopt measures similar to those contained in this Act to publicize the activities of persons and entities whose financial dealings enable the government of Sudan to commit genocide against people in the Darfur region and other regions of Sudan, and to authorize divestment from, and the avoidance of further investment in, such persons and entities. (Sec. 12) Sets forth the conditions under which this Act shall terminate.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
Baseball Diplomacy Act - Waives certain foreign assistance and trade and travel prohibitions against Cuba under specified federal law regarding Cuban nationals who: (1) enter the United States on a visa to play organized professional baseball; and (2) return to Cuba with their baseball earnings. States that such visa shall be valid only for the duration of the season and need not be renewed as long as the player remains with the same team. Prohibits the President from denying visas to such nationals based upon authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act to restrict any entry of aliens or class of aliens that would be detrimental to U.S. interests. Declares that this Act shall not be affected by the economic embargo requirements against Cuba under the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
Establishes in the legislative branch the Independent Commission on the 2004 Coup d'Etat in the Republic of Haiti. Directs the Commission to examine the U.S. government's role in the February 2004 coup d'etat in the Republic of Haiti. Terminates the Commission 60 days after submission of its final report to Congress and the President.

Date: 2007-01-09
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
States that: (1) it is U.S. policy to seek justice for American victims of terrorism and to hold terrorists and their state-sponsors accountable for their actions; and (2) any provision of the Algiers Accords, entered into with Iran on January 19, 1981, that purports to bar a U.S. citizen from prosecuting any claim in any U.S. court or to limit the jurisdiction of any U.S. court is hereby abrogated and deemed nonapplicable. Directs the the Secretary of the Treasury to begin payments to a common fund to be: (1) established and administered by the certified class representatives for the former American hostages in Iran and their survivors (case number 1:00CV03110 (EGS) of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia); and (2) funded from the liquidation of blocked Iranian assets and from amounts in the Iran Foreign Military Sales Fund account (Foreign Military Sales Fund). Sets forth fund payment amounts for each former hostage and spouse and child identified as a class member.

Date: 2007-01-10
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs