zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Special Global Partnership with India Act of 2016

This bill directs the President to take specified actions to advance the U.S.-India relationship, which shall include: (1) strategic, commercial, and defense dialogues; (2) development of advanced technology programs, including cyber security cooperation; and (3) enhanced scientific and military cooperation.

The Department of Defense may enter into pilot programs to enhance India's capabilities in: (1) border, maritime, and aviation security; (2) explosives detection; (3) humanitarian and disaster management; and (4) counterterrorism.

The President, with prior congressional notice, may make India temporarily eligible for certain defense services and articles under the Arms Export Control Act.

The President shall make India eligible for the strategic trade authorization exemption from having to obtain certain export control licensees.

The President may provide assistance to India to promote: (1) economic growth, (2) public health, (3) infrastructure development, (4) urban energy infrastructure, (5) military education and training, (6) educational exchanges, (7) joint development initiatives in third countries, and (8) banking access.

The bill expresses the sense of Congress regarding: (1) India's entry into the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation regional economic forum, (2) U.S.-India negotiations to finalize a bilateral investment treaty, and (3) India's full implementation of the Civilian Nuclear Cooperation Initiative.

Date: 2016-06-07
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act

(Sec. 3) This bill requires the Department of the Treasury, in furtherance of efforts to prevent the financing of terrorism, money laundering, or related illicit finance and to make financial institutions' required compliance with remaining sanctions more easily understood, to submit within 270 days and annually thereafter for the next two years a report regarding:

 the funds or assets held in U.S. and foreign financial institutions that are directly or indirectly controlled by specified Iranian officials; any equity stake such official has in an entity on Treasury's list of Specially Designated Nationals or in any other sanctioned entity; how such funds, assets, or equity interests were acquired and used; new methods used to evade anti-money laundering and related laws, including recommendations to improve techniques to combat illicit uses of the U.S. financial system by each such official. recommendations for revising U.S. economic sanctions against Iran to prevent Iranian officials from using funds or assets to develop and procure ballistic missile technology; how Treasury assesses the effectiveness of U.S. economic sanctions against Iran; and recommendations for improving Treasury's ability to develop and enforce additional economic sanctions against Iran if so ordered by the President. The unclassified portion of the report shall be made available to the public and posted on Treasury's website in downloadable English, Farsi, Arabic, and Azeri versions.

Date: 2016-06-13
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
No Dollars for Ayatollahs Act 

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax on any U.S. person who clears or transfers more than $1 million U.S. dollars per year for the direct or indirect benefit of the government of Iran or any Iranian person. The tax is equal to 100% of the amount that is cleared or transferred.

The tax also applies to transactions by certain related entities, including the clearing or transferring of U.S dollars by: (1) a foreign member of a U.S. person's worldwide affiliated group, or (2) a foreign person who is not a member of a U.S. person's worldwide affiliated group, but has a correspondent account or payable-through account for or with such a member or a U.S. person. The tax applies to transactions by a foreign person described above if the member or U.S. person for or with whom the account is maintained knew or had reason to know the dollars were being cleared or transferred.

Date: 2016-06-21
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: Taxation
Combatting Terrorism in Tunisia Emergency Support Act of 2016

This bill declares that it is the policy of the United States to assist the government of Tunisia in eliminating terrorist organizations that operate in Tunisia and neighboring Libya and preventing fighters in Syria from returning to Tunisia.

This bill expresses the sense of the Congress that:

 significant reform that protects fundamental human rights is necessary to enable the Tunisian security services to combat terrorism and reinforce the rule of law; expeditious consideration of sales, leases, grants, or transfers of defense articles, services, and equipment is consistent with U.S. policy to assist in eliminating terrorist organizations that threaten Tunisia's national security; Tunisia's peaceful pursuit of democracy should be fully supported by the United States; organizations such as Ansar al-Sharia and the Islamic State have created terrorist sanctuaries in Libya and represent a significant threat to Tunisia's democratic government; and supporting Tunisia's orderly reform of its economic and social sectors should be a U.S. priority. The bill authorizes the Department of State to:

 provide assistance to strengthen and reform Tunisia's security sector; support Tunisia's efforts to combat terrorism; provide assistance to support Tunisia's democracy and civil society; provide assistance to support Tunisia's border security by enhancing its capabilities to interdict illicit weapons trafficking; reprogram certain funds to support Tunisia's economic reforms; and enter into a memorandum of understanding with Tunisia to increase military cooperation, including joint military exercises, personnel exchanges, and enhanced strategic dialogue. The President is authorized to provide defense articles, services, and training to Tunisia to counter terrorist threats.

The State Department shall submit a strategic plan within 90 days to carry out this bill.

Date: 2016-06-22
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
No Ex-Im Financing for Iran Act

This bill amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to prohibit the Export-Import Bank from guaranteeing, insuring, extending credit, or participating in the extension of credit in connection with the export of U.S. goods or services to any entity that does business with or provides credit or a guarantee to any other entity in connection with exports involving:

 the Government of Iran, or an entity in which the Government of Iran participates, an entity created under Iranian law, or an operation in Iran.

Date: 2016-06-28
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Iran Accountability Act of 2016

This bill prescribes requirements for mandatory sanctions with respect to:

 Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), its agents, and persons or entities it owns; Mahan Air; Iran's support of terrorism and money laundering; Iran's human rights abuses; certain Iranian individuals, including the Supreme Leader of Iran and the President of Iran; persons who conduct transactions with or on behalf of certain Iranian individuals; persons that support or are involved in Iran's ballistic missile program; and financial institutions that engage in certain transactions on behalf of persons involved in human rights abuses or that export sensitive technology to Iran. The Department of the Treasury must establish and publish in the Federal Register an IRGC watch list.

The bill prescribes prohibitions against Iran's access to the U.S. financial system.

The bill authorizes the Department of State to provide assistance to individuals and entities working in Iran to promote the rule of law and economic opportunity.

The Iran-Iraq Arms Non-Proliferation Act of 1992 is amended to cover ballistic missiles and related technology.

The President is directed to: (1) designate within the State Department a Special Coordinator on Human Rights and Democracy in Iran; and (2) report on U.S. citizens, including dual citizens, detained by Iran or related groups.

The bill requires Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Voice of America to increase programing services to Iran.

Date: 2016-07-06
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
U.S.-Israel Partnership to Hold Iran Accountable Act

This bill authorizes the Department of State to establish a joint commission with Israel to address Iranian compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The commission should:

 support professional dialogues to detect and respond to JCPOA violations by Iran; coordinate subcabinet level political discussions on contingency responses to such violations and responses to Iran's destabilizing, non-nuclear activities, including missile launches, support for terrorism, and human rights violations; and coordinate technical discussions among the State Department, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Energy, and counterpart Israeli ministries on technical aspects of JCPOA implementation. The bill expresses the sense of Congress that:

 Israeli officials who are counterparts to specified U.S. officials should be appointed as commission members; the President should ensure commission participation by senior officials in the Executive Office of the President and counterparts in the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel; and the Department of Defense should conduct joint military planning with Israel based on commission-identified contingency scenarios, such as responding to the detection of a covert Iranian enrichment facility, new Iranian weaponization efforts, or other clear indicators that Iran has begun a nuclear weapon breakout.

Date: 2016-07-07
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
Nicaraguan Investment Conditionality Act (NICA) of 2016

(Sec. 3) This bill states that is U.S. policy to support: (1) the rule of law and an independent judiciary and electoral council in Nicaragua; (2) independent pro-democracy organizations in Nicaragua; and (3) free, fair, and transparent elections under international and domestic observers in Nicaragua in 2016 and 2017.

(Sec. 4) The President shall instruct the U.S. executive director at each international financial institution to use U.S. influence to oppose any loan for the government of Nicaragua's benefit, other than for basic human needs or to promote democracy, unless the Department of State certifies that Nicaragua is taking effective steps to: (1) hold elections overseen by credible domestic and international electoral observers, (2) promote democracy and an independent judiciary system and electoral council, (3) strengthen the rule of law, and (4) respect the right to freedom of association and expression.

 The Department of the Treasury shall submit a report assessing: (1) the effectiveness of international financial institutions in enforcing applicable program safeguards in Nicaragua, and (2) the effects of specified election and fiscal transparency matters in Nicaragua on long-term prospects for positive development outcomes there.

(Sec. 5) The President shall direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States to use U.S. influence to advocate for an Electoral Observation Mission to be sent to Nicaragua in 2016 and 2017.

(Sec. 6) The bill provides that Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development should prioritize foreign assistance to the people of Nicaragua to assist civil society in democracy and governance programs, including human rights documentation.

(Sec. 7) The State Department shall report on the involvement of senior Nicaraguan government officials, including members of the Supreme Electoral Council, the National Assembly, and the judicial system, in acts of public corruption or human rights violations in Nicaragua.

Date: 2016-07-11
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
No U.S. Financing for Iran Act

TITLE I--IRAN FINANCING PROHIBITION

(Sec. 101) This bill prohibits the Department of the Treasury from authorizing U.S. financial institution transactions in connection with the export or re-export of commercial passenger aircraft to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

(Sec. 102) Any transaction authorized by Treasury before enactment of this bill is revoked.

TITLE II--NO EX-IM ASSISTANCE FOR TERRORISM

No Ex-Im Assistance for Terrorism Act

(Sec. 202) This bill amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to prohibit the Export-Import Bank from guaranteeing, insuring, extending credit, or participating in the extension of credit in connection with the export of U.S. goods or services sought by:

 the Government of Iran, an entity owned or controlled by it, an entity created under Iranian law, or a foreign subsidiary of such an entity; an entity involving the Government of Iran, owned or controlled by the Government of Iran, created under Iranian law, or a foreign subsidiary of such an entity; or a non-U.S. entity that, in the last five-years, has leased or sold aircraft to the Government of Iran, or a subsidiary or controlling parent of such a non-U.S. entity. The Bank must cancel approved financing if it finds that such financing has facilitated the export, sale, or lease of an aircraft to the Government of Iran or a related entity and must seek immediate recovery of any amount it has provided in connection with the transaction.

TITLE III--SUNSET

(Sec. 301) This bill shall cease to be effective 30 days after the President certifies to Congress that the Government of Iran has ceased support for acts of international terrorism.

Date: 2016-07-11
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
No Ex-Im Assistance for Terrorism Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to prohibit the Export-Import Bank from guaranteeing, insuring, extending credit, or participating in the extension of credit in connection with the export of U.S. goods or services sought by:

 the Government of Iran, an entity owned or controlled by it, an entity created under Iranian law, or a foreign subsidiary of such an entity; an entity involving the Government of Iran, owned or controlled by the Government of Iran, created under Iranian law, or a foreign subsidiary of such an entity; or a non-U.S. entity that, in the last five-years, has leased or sold aircraft to the Government of Iran, or a subsidiary or controlling parent of such a non-U.S. entity. The Bank must cancel approved financing if it finds that such financing has facilitated the export, sale, or lease of an aircraft to the Government of Iran or a related entity and must seek immediate recovery of any amount it has provided in connection with the transaction.

Date: 2016-07-11
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
This bill prohibits the Department of the Treasury from issuing a license for the export or re-export of commercial passenger aircraft to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Treasury shall submit an annual report to Congress:

 stating whether any U.S. financial institution is involved with the sale or lease of commercial passenger aircraft to Iran by a non-U.S. manufacturer; and containing a description of the risks related to repayment, money laundering, and the financing of terrorism faced by U.S. financial institutions that are involved in such transactions.

Date: 2016-07-11
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Preventing Iranian Destabilization of Iraq Act of 2016

This bill declares it shall be the policy of the United States to impose sanctions with respect to terrorist organizations and foreign countries, including the government of Iran, that threaten the peace or stability of Iraq.

The bill directs the President to impose sanctions to block transactions in property and interests in property in the United States of, and the Department of State or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to deny admissions into the United States or revoke the visa of, any foreign person that State or DHS determines:

 has knowingly committed, or poses a significant risk of committing, violence that threatens the peace or stability of Iraq or that undermines economic reconstruction, political reform, or humanitarian efforts in Iraq; has knowingly materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, any such act; or is owned or controlled by, or has acted on behalf of, a foreign person that has carried out any such act or activity. Such admissions-related sanctions shall not apply if a person's admission is necessary to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations or other applicable international obligations.

The President may waive the application of sanctions under this bill for up to 90 days if the President provides prior certification that the waiver is vital to U.S. national security interests.

The sanction provisions of this bill shall cease to be effective on January 1, 2022.

It is the sense of Congress that the government of Iran has committed acts of violence, and poses a significant risk of committing further acts of violence, that threaten the peace or stability of Iraq.

The bill directs the President to determine whether specified Iranian officials are responsible for engaging in acts or activities described in this bill and, if so, to impose admissions-related sanctions on such officials.

The President must report, every 180 days for 5 years, on Iranian activities in Iraq, including Iran's support for Iraqi militias or political parties.

Date: 2016-07-12
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
Stop U.S. Support for State Sponsors of Terrorism Act

(Sec. 2) This bill prohibits the Department of the Treasury from issuing a license for the export or re-export of commercial passenger aircraft to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

(Sec. 3) Treasury shall submit an annual report to Congress:

 stating whether any U.S. financial institution is involved with the sale or lease of commercial passenger aircraft or aircraft spare parts to Iran by a non-U.S. manufacturer, and whether any such involvement is with respect to such aircraft or spare parts comprising 10% or more U.S. content; and containing a description of the risks related to repayment, money laundering, and the financing of terrorism faced by U.S. financial institutions that are involved in such transactions. (Sec. 4) The Export-Import Bank shall report annually to Congress on the use of Bank assistance for such transactions.

Date: 2016-07-12
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Determination of Russia-Iran Weapons Transfer Act of 2016

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that the sale or transfer of an advanced integrated air defense system to Iran constitutes the sale or transfer of a destabilizing type of advanced conventional weapons system to Iran.

The President shall: (1) notify Congress within 15 days of receiving credible information that any advanced integrated air defense system has been sold or transferred to Iran; and (2) within 30 days of such notification, determine whether the sale or transfer meets sanction imposition requirements and, if so, determine whether to impose or waive sanctions.

 Upon determining that such sale or transfer is not subject to sanctions, the President shall submit a report on the specific reasons for such determination.

Imposed sanctions shall terminate 30 days after the President certifies that Iran and all Iranian-owned or controlled-entities: (1) are not in possession of the system for which sanctions were imposed; and (2) have not transferred such system to a foreign terrorist organization or to a country whose government has repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
Secure the Northern Triangle Act

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that the United States must address the violence and humanitarian crisis resulting in the elevated numbers of unaccompanied children, women, and refugees from the Northern Triangle (El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras) arriving at the southwestern border of the United States.

The bill authorizes appropriations for the United States Strategy for Engagement in Central America.

Funds are made available for combating criminal violence and corruption and advancing economic development.

The President shall designate a senior official to coordinate federal and international efforts to strengthen the rule of law and economic prosperity in Central America.

The Millenium Challenge Corporation may fund concurrent compacts for regional integration.

The Department of State shall submit a three-year strategy to secure international and regional support for the Plan of the Alliance for Prosperity in the Northern Triangle.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall expand law enforcement partnership efforts in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico to combat human smuggling and trafficking.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and DHS shall expand collaborative programs aimed at human smugglers and traffickers targeting Central American children and families.

The bill provides for: (1) increased sanctions against foreign narcotics traffickers and their foreign supporters operating in Central or South America; (2) increased resources for, and expedited processing under, the Central American Minors (CAM) program; and (3) strengthening the capacity of Mexico and other regional countries to provide asylum and global resettlement.

The Office of Refugee Resettlement of the Department of Health and Human Services shall perform record checks of prospective sponsors prior to placing an unaccompanied alien child with a sponsor.

DHS shall: (1) monitor unaccompanied alien children after placement, and (2) provide funds to states for criminal registry and child abuse searches of prospective sponsors.

The Department of Education shall provide funds to eligible school districts for unaccompanied alien children.

 A local educational agency shall: (1) ensure that unaccompanied alien children in the area are immediately enrolled in school following placement, and (2) remove enrollment and participation barriers.

DHS shall: (1) ensure that legal orientation programs are available for all DHS-detained aliens, and (2) consult with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees to develop a child-centered repatriation process.

DOJ may appoint or provide legal counsel to individuals in immigration proceedings and shall appoint legal counsel for children and vulnerable individuals in such proceedings.

DOJ shall increase the number of immigration judges and Board of Immigration Appeals attorneys.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
No Ransom Payments Act of 2016

This bill prohibits the President from paying final judgments, awards, or compromise settlements to Iran using specified Department of Treasury funds (specified funds) until the President certifies that: (1) Iran has returned any money from such funds paid to it by the United States after January 1, 2016, (2) Iran has satisfied all outstanding judgments against it awarded to U.S. plaintiffs by U.S. courts, and (3) individuals taken hostage and held for 444 days following the U.S. Embassy seizure in Iran on November 4, 1979, have been compensated from the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund.

The President must certify before providing or authorizing payment of any funds to Iran that: (1) the funds will not be used to support international terrorism, and (2) Iran or Iran-supported groups are not unjustly detaining U.S. citizens.

The President, within 60 days after enactment of this bill, shall impose property transaction and U.S. entry sanctions against any Iranian person:

 involved in the kidnapping or unjust detention of a U.S. citizen on or after March 9, 2007; that engages, or attempts to engage, in an activity or transaction that materially contributes to such kidnapping or unjust detentions; and owned or controlled by such a person, acting on behalf of such a person, or providing support for such a person. The Director of National Intelligence shall report within 60 days on whether funds paid to Iran by the United States after January 1, 2016, have been used by Iran to support international terrorism.

The President and U.S. government officers shall not:

 make a payment to a government or person to secure the release of unjustly detained U.S. citizens (a payment to assist arrested U.S. citizens is excluded from such prohibition), or use specified funds to make any payment to a state sponsor of acts of international terrorism (a specific payment or a specific payee is excluded from such prohibition if Congress has passed a joint resolution waiving the application of such prohibition).

Date: 2016-09-06
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
Victims Before Ransom Act

This bill prohibits the use of funds by the United States to make a payment to the government of Iran or an Iranian national relating to the settlement of any claim before the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal until the President certifies to Congress that Iran has paid all compensatory damages awarded to a U.S. person or entity in a final judgment of a federal or state court arising from an act of international terrorism for which the government of Iran was determined not to be immune from the court's jurisdiction.

Date: 2016-09-07
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
Halt Arms and Promote Peace in South Sudan Act

This bill expresses the sense of Congress with respect to the civil war in South Sudan.

The bill: (1) requires a validated license to export dual use goods or technology to South Sudan, and (2) prohibitis issuing an export license to South Sudan for any item on the United States Munitions List.

The bill provides that the Department of State should seek to engage with relevant institutions to impose coordinated asset blocking and travel ban sanctions on persons who have violated a cease fire in South Sudan or who knowingly transferred arms to any party to hostilities in that country.

The President shall direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations to use U.S. influence to seek: (1) imposition of targeted sanctions against all parties to hostilities in South Sudan, and (2) an arms embargo against the government of South Sudan and all other parties to hostilities in that country.

Upon making a determination that a cease fire exists and progress toward implementing the agreement is being made, the State Department shall: (1) develop a strategy to strengthen food security in South Sudan, (2) assess South Sudan's participation in the Feed the Future initiative, and (3) facilitate South Sudan's participation in the Power Africa and the Trade Africa programs.

The President shall report on: (1) the imposition of such sanctions, and (2) activities and finances of persons supplying arms to South Sudan.

The State Department shall report on: (1) progress towards peace in South Sudan, and (2) atrocities committed during the civil war in South Sudan.

The Department of the Treasury shall determine whether South Sudan is a jurisdiction of primary money laundering concern.

Date: 2016-09-12
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
Reserve Retirement Deployment Credit Correction Act of 2016

This bill provides for retroactive calculation as of October 7, 2001, (the start of combat operations in Afghanistan) of qualifying active duty or active service days as a member of the Ready Reserve in order to reduce the eligibility age for receipt of retired pay for non-regular service.

The current calculation date is January 28, 2008.

Date: 2016-09-12
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Taiwan Travel Act

This bill states that it should be U.S. policy to permit: (1) high-level Taiwanese officials to enter the United States under respectful conditions and to meet with U.S. officials, including officials from the Department of State and the Department of Defense; and (2) the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, and any other instrumentality established by Taiwan, to conduct official business in the United States.

Date: 2016-09-15
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
This bill amends the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 to extend through FY2022 the authorization for the President to: (1) provide grants that promote democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and development of a market economy in North Korea; (2) take actions to increase the availability of non-government controlled information inside North Korea; and (3) provide assistance to support organizations or persons that provide humanitarian assistance to North Koreans who are outside of North Korea without the permission of the Government of North Korea.

The bill extends through 2022 annual reporting requirements on: (1) such actions by the President; (2) activities of the Special Envoy for North Korean human rights issues; (3) U.S. Agency for International Development activities to promote U.S. humanitarian assistance to North Koreans inside and outside of North Korea and improvements in humanitarian transparency, monitoring, and access inside North Korea; and (4) the number of North Koreans seeking refugee status or political asylum in the United States.

Date: 2016-09-28
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)

Iran Sanctions Extension Act

(Sec. 2) This bill extends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 through December 31, 2026.

Date: 2016-11-14
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
Protecting Israel Against Economic Discrimination Act of 2016

This bill declares that Congress opposes politically motivated boycotts, divestment from, and sanctions against Israel.

The bill amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to declare that it shall be U.S. policy to oppose:

 requests by foreign countries to impose restrictive practices or boycotts against other countries friendly to the United States or against U.S. persons; and restrictive trade practices or boycotts fostered or imposed by an international governmental organization, or requests to impose such practices or boycotts, against Israel. The bill prohibits U.S. persons engaged in interstate or foreign commerce from:

 requesting the imposition of any boycott by a foreign country against a country which is friendly to the United States; or supporting any boycott fostered or imposed by an international organization, or requesting imposition of any such boycott, against Israel. The bill amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to include as a reason for the Export-Import Bank to deny credit applications for the export of goods and services between the United States and foreign countries, opposition to policies and actions that are politically motivated and are intended to penalize or otherwise limit commercial relations specifically with citizens or residents of Israel, entities organized under the laws of Israel, or the Government of Israel.

Date: 2016-11-14
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Taylor Force Act

This bill prohibits certain assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 from being made available for the West Bank and Gaza unless the Department of State certifies that the Palestinian Authority:

 is taking steps to end acts of violence against U.S. and Israeli citizens perpetrated by individuals under its jurisdictional control, such as the March 2016 attack that killed former Army officer Taylor Force; is publicly condemning such acts of violence and is investigating, or cooperating in investigations of, such acts; and has terminated payments for acts of terrorism against U.S. and Israeli citizens to any individual who has been convicted and imprisoned for such acts, to any individual who died committing such acts, and to family members of such an individual.

Date: 2016-11-18
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
Defend Israel by Defunding Palestinian Foreign Aid Act of 2015

This bill prohibits any amounts from being obligated or expended to provide assistance, loan guarantees, or debt relief to the Palestinian Authority (PA), or any affiliated governing entity, until the PA withdraws its request to join the International Criminal Court.

Date: 2015-01-06
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act of 2015

This bill states that:

 the President may not prohibit or otherwise regulate travel to or from Cuba by U.S. citizens or legal residents, or any of the transactions incident to such travel, including banking transactions; any regulation in effect on the date of enactment of this Act prohibiting or otherwise regulating such travel or transactions incident to such travel shall cease to have any force or effective; but the prohibitions and requirements of this Act shall not apply if the United States is at war with Cuba, armed hostilities between the two countries are in progress, or there is imminent danger to the public health or the physical safety of U.S. travelers.

Date: 2015-01-29
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
Freedom to Export to Cuba Act of 2015

This bill repeals or amends current laws restricting trade with Cuba.

The prohibition on assistance to Cuba, and the President's authority for the embargo on Cuba, under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 are eliminated.

The President's authority to continue direct restrictions on trade with Cuba under the Trading with the Enemy Act is eliminated, and any related regulations are no longer effective.

The Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 is amended to eliminate:

 presidential authority to impose sanctions against Cuban trading partners, restrictions on transactions between U.S.-owned or controlled firms and Cuba, limitations on direct shipping between Cuban and U.S. ports, and restrictions on remittances. The Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 is amended to eliminate:

 the enforcement of an economic embargo of Cuban provisions, and the prohibition on indirect financing of Cuba. The Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 is amended to:

 remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism subject to agricultural and medical export restrictions; and repeal the prohibition on the U.S. entry of merchandise that is of Cuban origin, is or has been located in or transported from or through Cuba, or is made or derived in whole or in part of any article which is the growth, produce, or manufacture of Cuba.

Date: 2015-02-12
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
United States-Israel Trade Enhancement Act of 2015

This bill states that among the principal U.S. trade negotiating objectives for trade agreements with foreign countries regarding commercial partnerships are to:

 discourage actions that directly or indirectly prejudice or discourage commercial activity solely between the United States and Israel; discourage politically motivated actions by foreign countries, non-member United Nations states, and international organizations (including affiliated agencies), that are intended to penalize or limit commercial relations with Israel, persons doing business with Israel or in territories controlled by Israel, or successor entities to such persons; seek the elimination of politically motivated nontariff barriers on goods, services, or other commerce from Israel, as well as any boycott fostered or imposed by a foreign country against Israel; or discourage compliance with the boycott of Israel by the Arab League.

Date: 2015-03-02
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
Stand with Israel Act of 2015

Prohibits any direct U.S. assistance, loan guarantee, or debt relief to the Palestinian Authority (PA) or any affiliated governing entity or leadership organization.

States that such prohibition shall have no effect for a fiscal year if the President certifies to Congress that the PA has:

 formally recognized Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state and publicly recognized the state of Israel, renounced terrorism and purged all individuals with terrorist ties from the security services, terminated funding of anti-American and anti-Israel incitement, publicly pledged to not engage in war with Israel, and honored previous diplomatic agreements.

Date: 2015-03-03
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
Cuba Normalization Accountability Act of 2015

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should not pursue efforts to ease restrictions on travel to or trade with Cuba, or otherwise normalize relations with Cuba further, until: (1) the President submits to Congress the plan for resolving confiscated property claims, (2) all property taken by the Cuban government from U.S. nationals on or after January 1, 1959, has been returned or full compensation for that property has been provided to them, and (3) the government of Cuba provides secure protection for the internationally recognized human rights of the people of Cuba.

The President may not take any action to ease restrictions on travel to or trade with Cuba under the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, the Export Administration Regulations, or any other regulations relating to the economic embargo of Cuba before submitting to Congress the plan for resolving outstanding claims for confiscated property to ensure that:

 all property taken by the government of Cuba from U.S. nationals on or after January 1, 1959, has been returned to them; or full compensation for such property has been provided to them. The President shall include in the plan an assessment of the effect of planned actions to ease the restrictions on claims relating to confiscated property considered by the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States before the date of the enactment of this Act.

Date: 2015-05-19
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
Cuba Digital and Telecommunications Advancement Act of 2015 or the Cuba DATA Act

This bill authorizes the President to permit any person subject to U.S. jurisdiction to:

 export consumer communication devices and other telecommunications equipment to Cuba; provide telecommunications services involving Cuba or persons in Cuba; establish facilities to provide telecommunications services connecting Cuba with another country, or to provide telecommunications services in Cuba; conduct any transaction incident to carrying out such activities; and enter into, perform, and make and receive payments under a contract with any individual or entity in Cuba regarding the provision of telecommunications services involving Cuba or persons in Cuba. Repeals or amends specified requirements and prohibitions of: (1) the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992, and (2) the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996.

Date: 2015-05-19
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
Cuban Military Transparency Act

This bill prohibits a U.S. person from engaging in any financial transaction with or transfer of funds to:

 the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba or the Ministry of the Interior of Cuba (or any of their subdivisions); a senior member of such Ministries; any agency, instrumentality, or other entity that is more than 25% owned, or that is operated or controlled by, such a Ministry; or any individual or entity for the purpose of avoiding a prohibited financial transaction or transfer of funds that is for the benefit of that individual or entity. Such prohibitions shall not apply to:

 the sale to Cuba of agricultural commodities, medicines, and medical devices; a remittance to an immediate family member; or assistance in furtherance of democracy-building efforts for Cuba. A person that violates or attempts to violate such prohibitions shall be subject to specified penalties under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

The Department of State rewards program under the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 shall include rewards for information leading to the arrest or conviction in any country of any individual responsible for or aiding in the February 1996 attack on the aircraft of U.S. persons in international waters by the Cuban military.

The Attorney General shall seek to coordinate with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to pursue the location and arrest of U.S. fugitives in Cuba, including current and former members of the Cuban military.

Date: 2015-06-03
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
Cuba Trade Act of 2015

This bill repeals or amends current laws restricting trade with Cuba.

The prohibition on assistance to Cuba, and the President's authority for the embargo on Cuba, under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 are eliminated.

The Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 is amended to eliminate:

 presidential authority to impose sanctions against Cuban trading partners, restrictions on transactions between U.S.-owned or controlled firms and Cuba, limitations on direct shipping between Cuban and U.S. ports, and restrictions on remittances. The Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 is amended to eliminate:

 the enforcement of an economic embargo of Cuban provisions, and the prohibition on indirect financing of Cuba. The Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 is amended to:

 remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism subject to agricultural and medical export restrictions; eliminate the prohibition on U.S. assistance, including foreign assistance, export assistance, and any credit or guarantees being made available for exports to Cuba; eliminate the prohibition against a U.S. person's providing payment or financing terms for sales of agricultural commodities or products to Cuba; prohibit the United States from providing any foreign assistance to Cuba or any financial assistance, loans, loan guarantees, extension of credit, or other financing for exports to Cuba; and eliminate the prohibition on the U.S. entry of merchandise that is of Cuban origin is or has been located in or transported from or through Cuba, or is made or derived in whole or in part of any article which is the growth, produce, or manufacture of Cuba. The federal government may not obligate or expend any funds to promote trade with or develop markets in Cuba, except for certain commodity promotion programs.

Date: 2015-06-10
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
Iran Sanctions Relief Oversight Act of 2015

This bill extends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 through December 31, 2026.

The Secretary of the Treasury shall report to Congress assessing:

 the monetary value of any sanctions relief that Iran has received since the Joint Plan of Action entered into effect; Iran's use of such funds funds, including to support international terrorism and the al-Assad regime in Syria, advance nuclear weapons or ballistic missile efforts, or commit any violation of the human rights of the people of Iran; and the extent to which senior Iranian officials have diverted sanctions relief funds into their personal accounts.

Date: 2015-06-25
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act

Directs the Department of State to designate a Department employee at the Assistant Secretary level or above to serve concurrently as the U.S. Coordinator for International Cultural Property Protection to:

 coordinate and promote federal agency efforts to address international cultural property protection activities; support activities to assist countries that are the principal sources of trafficked cultural property to protect cultural heritage sites and to prevent cultural property looting and theft; develop strategies to reduce illegal trade and trafficking in international cultural property in the United States and abroad, including by reducing consumer demand for such trade; and Chair the Coordinating Committee on International Cultural Property Protection. Establishes a Coordinating Committee on International Cultural Property Protection to facilitate the Coordinator's work.

Directs the Department, through the U.S. Coordinator for International Cultural Property Protection, to report to Congress annually for seven years regarding activities of the U.S. Coordinator and the Coordinating Committee, the Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Justice to protect international cultural property.

Authorizes any agency involved in international cultural property protection activities to enter into agreements with the Smithsonian Institution to engage Smithsonian personnel temporarily to assist in such activities.

Directs the President to apply specified import restrictions with respect to any archaeological or ethnological material of Syria as if Syria were a State Party to the Convention on prohibiting and preventing the illicit import, export, and transfer of ownership of cultural property.

 Sets forth the conditions for termination of such restrictions.

 Authorizes the President to waive such import restrictions for specified cultural property if the President certifies to Congress that:

 the foreign owner or custodian of the specified cultural property has requested that such property be temporarily located in the United States for protection purposes, such property shall be returned upon request to the foreign owner or custodian, and the grant of a waiver will not contribute to illegal trafficking in cultural property or financing of criminal or terrorist activities.

Date: 2015-07-29
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs
Protecting Americans from the Proliferation of Weapons to Terrorists Act of 2015 

This bill prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds made available to the Central Intelligence Agency, the Department of Defense, the National Security Council, the National Security Agency, or any other U.S. agency or entity involved in intelligence activities for the purpose of, or in a manner which would have the effect of, supporting military or paramilitary operations in Syria.

An exception is provided for funds obligated for non-lethal humanitarian assistance for the Syrian people provided directly by the U.S. government through nongovernmental organizations and contractors or foreign governments.

The prohibition may only be nullified if a joint resolution approving assistance for military or paramilitary operations in Syria is enacted.

Date: 2015-11-04
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Bosnia and Herzegovina-American Enterprise Fund Act

This bill authorizes the President to designate a private, nonprofit organization as the Bosnia and Herzegovina-American Enterprise Fund to promote the private sector, job creation, and creation of a middle class in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Date: 2015-11-19
Topic: International Affairs (Specific Country)
Subject: International affairs