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SENATE SCORED ITEMS

  1. S.178 Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2019

This bill directs the President to impose sanctions and export restrictions related to China's treatment of the Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim Turkic ethnic group.

Primary Sponsor: Marco Rubio R-FL

Status: 9/11/19 Passed/agreed to in Senate; 12/03/19 Passed/agreed to in House, 50 Cosponsors

*See H.R.649

  1. S.357 Saudi Educational Transparency and Reform Act

This bill directs the State Department to report annually on whether educational materials published by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Education include content that encourages violence and intolerance toward religious groups, including Muslims who hold dissenting views. The report shall also include the extent such materials are exported and efforts by the Saudi government to remove any intolerant content.

Primary Sponsor: Marco Rubio R-FL

Status: 2/6/19 Referred to Foreign Relations Committee, 2 cosponsors

*See H.R.554

  1. S.480 Countering the Chinese Government and Communist Party's Political Influence Operations Act

This bill requires an unclassified interagency report on the political influence of the Chinese government and the Communist Party of China with respect to the U.S.

Primary Sponsor: Marco Rubio R-FL

Status: 2/13/19 Referred to Foreign Relations Committee, 6 Cosponsors

  1. S.1186 Burma Human Rights and Freedom Act of 2019

This bill authorizes aid to address the humanitarian crisis in Burma (Myanmar) and calls for sanctions and reports related thereto.

Primary Sponsor: Benjamin Cardin D-MD

Status: 4/11/19 Referred to the Foreign Relations Committee, 23 Cosponsors

  1. S.1369 Vietnam Human Rights Sanctions Act of 2019

This bill requires the President to (1) impose financial sanctions on, and prohibit U.S. entry by, nationals of Vietnam who are complicit in human rights abuses committed against nationals of Vietnam or their family members, regardless of whether such abuses occurred in Vietnam; and (2) submit to Congress a publicly available list of individuals determined to be complicit in such human rights abuses.

Primary Sponsor: John Cornyn R-TX

Status: 5/8/19 Referred to Foreign Relations Committee, 3 Cosponsors

  1. S.1459 China Technology Transfer Control Act of 2019

This bill controls the export to the People’s Republic of China of certain technology and intellectual property important to the national interest of the U.S.

Primary Sponsor: Josh Hawley R-MO

Status: 5/14/19 Referred to Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, 2 Cosponsors

*See H.R.3532

  1. S.1838 Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019

This law directs various departments to assess whether political developments in Hong Kong justify changing Hong Kong's unique treatment under U.S. law.

Primary Sponsor: Marco Rubio R-FL

Status: 11/19/19 Passed/agreed to in Senate; 11/20/19 Passed/agreed to in House; 11/27/19 Became Law, 56 Cosponsors

  1. S.2351 Saudi Arabia Human Rights and Accountability Act of 2019

This bill requires the State Department to report the extent to which Saudi Arabia is responsible for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights and about U.S. actions to address such violations. The report shall also describe the publication by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Education of intolerant educational materials and U.S. actions to encourage an end to the production and use of such materials.

Primary Sponsor: Christopher Coons D-DE

Status: 7/31/19 Referred to Foreign Relations Committee,  1 Cosponsors

*See H.R.2037

  1. S.2503 United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2019

This bill reauthorizes the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

Primary Sponsor: Marco Rubio R-FL

Status: 9/18/19 Referred to Foreign Relations Committee, 4 Cosponsors

*See H.R.5379

  1. S.2539 Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2019

This bill modifies and reauthorizes the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002.

Primary Sponsor: Marco Rubio R-FL

Status: 9/24/19 Referred to Foreign Relations Committee, 25 Cosponsors

*See H.R.4331

  1. S.3018 A bill to require the United States Executive Director of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to oppose assistance by the Bank for any country that exceeds the graduation threshold of the Bank and is of concern with respect to religious freedom.

This bill requires the U.S. Executive Director of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to oppose any extension of financial or technical assistance by the bank to a country that both exceeds the graduation threshold of the bank and is designated as a country of particular concern for religious freedom.

Primary Sponsor: Chuck Grassley R-IA

Status: 12/11/19 Referred to Foreign Relations Committee, 4 Cosponsors

  1. S.3064 Ukraine Religious Freedom Support Act

This bill directs the President, when determining whether Russia is a country of particular concern for religious freedom, to consider incidents occurring in the parts of Ukraine controlled by Russia or Russia-affiliated non-state groups. (The U.S. may take certain actions, such as withdrawing development assistance, against a country of particular concern for religious freedom.)

Primary Sponsor: Roger Wicker R-MS

Status: 12/17/19 Referred to Foreign Relations Committee, 9 Cosponsors

*See H.R.5408

  1. S.3471 Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act

This bill imposes various restrictions related to China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous region, including by prohibiting certain imports from Xinjiang and imposing sanctions on those responsible for human rights violations there.

Primary Sponsor: Marco Rubio R-FL

Status: 3/12/20 Referred to Foreign Relations Committee, 33 Cosponsors

*See H.R.6210

  1. S.3744 Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020

This law imposes sanctions on foreign individuals and entities responsible for human rights abuses in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous region and requires various reports on the topic.

Primary Sponsor: Marco Rubio R-FL

Status: 5/14/20 Passed/agreed to in Senate; 5/27/20 Passed/agreed to in House; 6/17/20 Became Law, 66 Cosponsors

  1. S.3818 World Press Freedom Protection and Reciprocity Act

This bill protects and promotes the freedom of the press globally.

Primary Sponsor: Marco Rubio R-FL

Status: 5/21/20 Referred to Foreign Relations Committee, 1 Cosponsor

*See H.R.7001

  1. S.3819 Protecting Human Rights During Pandemic Act

This bill encourages the protection and promotion of internationally recognized human rights during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Primary Sponsor: Edward A. Markey D-MA

Status: 5/21/20 Referred to Foreign Relations Committee, 9 Cosponsors

*See H.R.6986

  1. S.4659 Rohingya Genocide Determination Act of 2020

This bill requires a determination as to whether crimes committed against the Rohingya in Burma amount to genocide.

Primary Sponsor: Edward A. Markey D-MA

Status: 9/23/20 Referred to Foreign Relations Committee, 7 Cosponsors

*See H.R.8744

  1. S.Con.Res.21 Strongly condemning human rights violations, violence against civilians, and cooperation with Iran by the Houthi movement and its allies in Yemen.

This concurrent resolution (1) condemns the Houthi movement in Yemen for violence and humanitarian and other violations, (2) expresses concern about Iran's support for the Houthis, (3) urges parties in the Yemeni civil war to uphold a December 2018 ceasefire and withdrawal agreement, and (4) urges the U.S. government to support a peace process to end the civil war and humanitarian crisis.

Primary Sponsor:  Tom Cotton R-AR

Status: 06/27/19 Referred to Foreign Relations Committee, 9 Cosponsors

*See H.Con.Res.50

  1. S.Res.30 A resolution condemning efforts to undermine democracy in Hungary and urging President Trump to defend the universal human rights and democratic norms under attack by the Orban government.

This resolution condemns Hungary's subversion of democratic norms and the rights of asylum seekers under Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Primary Sponsor: Dianne Feinstein D-CA

Status: 1/25/19 Referred to Foreign Relations Committee, 5 Cosponsors

  1. S.Res.124 A resolution condemning the March 15, 2019, terrorist attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand, offering sincere condolences to all of the victims and their families, and expressing and standing in solidarity with the people and Government of New Zealand.

This resolution condemns the terrorist attacks on the Al Noor and Linwood mosques, expresses condolences to the victims and their families, and calls on the U.S. to redouble efforts to combat the spread of white supremacist terrorism.

Primary Sponsor: Robert Menendez D-NJ

Status: 3/28/19 Passed/agreed to in Senate, 7 Cosponsors

  1. S.Res.169 A resolution requesting a statement under section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 with respect to violations of human rights by the Government of Saudi Arabia.

This resolution expresses that (1) the President should issue a determination with respect to the involvement of high-ranking officials of the government of Saudi Arabia, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi and (2) the U.S. should call upon Saudi Arabia to release human rights activists, journalists, and religious minorities held in detention and to reverse violations of human rights.

Primary Sponsor: Jeff Merkley D-OR

Status: 4/11/19 Referred to Foreign Relations Committee, 8 Cosponsors

  1. S.Res.176 A resolution condemning the terrorist attacks on Christian worshipers in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019, and standing with the Government of Sri Lanka to encourage the protection and preservation of religious liberties.

This resolution condemns the terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka and declares that the Senate stands with the government of Sri Lanka in bringing peace and security to the citizens of Sri Lanka, particularly the religious communities of that nation.

Primary Sponsor: Josh Hawley R-MO

Status: 4/30/19 Referred to Foreign Relations Committee, 8 Cosponsors

*See S.Res.184, H.Res.336

  1. S.Res.184 A resolution condemning the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka, offering sincere condolences to the victims, to their families and friends, and to the people and nation of Sri Lanka, and expressing solidarity and support for Sri Lanka.

This resolution condemns the terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka by Islamic extremists against innocent civilians, offers condolences to those affected, and notes the importance of national unity in light of the 10th anniversary of the end of Sri Lanka's civil war.

Primary Sponsor: James Risch R-ID

Status: 6/10/19 Agreed to in Senate, 15 Cosponsors

*See S.Res.176, H.Res.336

  1. S.Res.198 A resolution condemning Brunei's dramatic human rights backsliding.

This resolution censures Brunei's criminal laws with respect to sexual orientation and adultery and supports the withdrawal and denial of U.S. visas for Brunei officials responsible for the implementation of such laws until they are repealed.

Primary Sponsor: Richard Durbin D-IL

Status: 7/16/19 Agreed to in Senate, 14 Cosponsors

  1. S.Res.215 A resolution calling for greater religious and political freedoms in Cuba, and for other purposes.

This resolution expresses solidarity with Cuban citizens, and calls on Cuba and the U.S. to implement specified measures to promote human rights and democracy in Cuba.

Primary Sponsor: Mike Braun R-IN

Status: 5/21/19 Referred to Foreign Relations Committee, 8 Cosponsors

  1. S.Res.221 A resolution recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre and condemning the intensifying repression and human rights violations by the Chinese Communist Party and the use of surveillance by Chinese authorities, and for other purposes.

This resolution expresses sympathy for the family and friends of the victims of the Tiananmen Square massacre and condemns the use of violence against those who speak out against the Chinese Communist Party. It calls on the Chinese government to cease its current repression of the Chinese people and calls on the international community to address the Chinese government's continued persecution and mass surveillance of its citizens.

Primary Sponsor: Cory Gardner R-CO

Status: 6/5/19 Agreed to in Senate, 8 Cosponsors

  1. S.Res.274 A resolution expressing solidarity with Falun Gong practitioners who have lost lives, freedoms, and other rights for adhering to their beliefs and practices, and condemning the practice of non-consenting organ harvesting, and for other purposes.

This resolution condemns non-consensual organ harvesting of prisoners in China and calls on China to immediately cease the persecution and imprisonment of Falun Gong practitioners.

Primary Sponsor: Robert Menendez D-NJ

Status: 7/11/19 Referred to Foreign Relations Committee, 38 Cosponsors

  1. S.Res.277 A resolution remembering the 25th Anniversary of the bombing of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and recommitting to efforts to uphold justice for the 85 victims of the attack.

This resolution marks the 25th Anniversary of the bombing of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association Jewish Community Center and recommits to efforts to uphold justice for the 85 victims of the attack.

Primary Sponsor: Robert Menendez D-NJ

Status: 10/29/19 Agreed to in Senate, 9 Cosponsors

*See H.Res.441

  1. S.Res.303 A resolution calling upon the leadership of the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to dismantle its kwan-li-so political prison labor camp system, and for other purposes.

This resolution calls for the international community to demand that North Korea dismantle its labor camp system and to cease human rights abuses and release political prisoners.

Primary Sponsor: Josh Hawley R-MO

Status: 8/1/19 Referred to Foreign Relations Committee, 19 Cosponsors

*See H.Res.115, H.Res.141

  1. S.Res.369 A resolution recognizing the contributions of the Montagnard indigenous tribespeople of the Central Highlands of Vietnam to the United States Armed Forces during the Vietnam War, and condemning the ongoing violation of human rights by the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

This resolution recognizes the contributions of the Montagnard indigenous tribespeople of the Central Highlands of Vietnam to the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War and condemns the ongoing violation of human rights by the Vietnamese government.

Primary Sponsor: Richard Burr R-NC

Status: 10/22/19 Referred to Foreign Relations Committee, 1 Cosponsor

*See H.Res.435

  1. S.Res.458 A resolution calling for the global repeal of blasphemy, heresy, and apostasy laws.

This resolution calls on the President and the State Department to (1) make the repeal of blasphemy, heresy, and apostasy laws a priority in bilateral relationships between the U.S. and countries that have such laws; (2) designate countries that enforce such laws as countries of particular concern for religious freedom; and (3) oppose efforts by the United Nations to implement an international anti-blasphemy norm. The resolution also calls on the governments of countries that enforce such laws to amend or repeal them and to release anyone imprisoned pursuant to them.

Primary Sponsor: James Lankford R-OK

Status: 12/19/20 Agreed to in Senate, 8 Cosponsors

*See H.Res.512

  1. S.Res.524 A resolution condemning the practice of politically motivated imprisonment, calling for the immediate release of political prisoners in the Russian Federation, and urging action by the United States Government to impose sanctions with respect to persons responsible for that form of human rights abuse.

This resolution condemns the practice of politically motivated imprisonment, calls for the immediate release of political prisoners in the Russian Federation, and urges action by the U.S. government to impose sanctions with respect to persons responsible for such human rights abuse.

Primary Sponsor: Benjamin Cardin D-MD

Status: 3/2/20 Referred to Foreign Relations Committee, 7 Cosponsors

*See H.Res.958

  1. S.Res.542 A resolution commemorating the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp during World War II.

This resolution commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Dachau concentration camp liberation.

Primary Sponsor: Cory Gardner R-CO

Status: 6/16/20 Agreed to in Senate, 8 Cosponsors

  1. S.Res.578 A resolution condemning the Government of Iran's state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights.

This resolution condemns the Iran’s state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights.

Primary Sponsor: Ron Wyden D-OR

Status: 5/14/20 Referred to Foreign Relations Committee, 31 Cosponsors

*See H.Res.823

  1. S.Res.608 A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate condemning threats to Hong Kong's freedoms and autonomy on the 31st anniversary of the violent repression of the peaceful protests centered in Beijing's Tiananmen Square.

This resolution condemns threats to Hong Kong’s freedoms and autonomy on the anniversary of the violent repression of the peaceful protests centered in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.

Primary Sponsor: Marco Rubio R-FL

Status: 6/4/20 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations, 10 Cosponsors

*See H.Res.994

  1. S.Res.684 A resolution calling on the Government of Cameroon and separatist armed groups from the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions to end all violence, respect the human rights of all Cameroonians, and pursue a genuinely inclusive dialogue toward resolving the ongoing civil conflict in Anglophone Cameroon.

This resolution condemns abuses committed by state security forces and armed groups in the northwest and southwest regions of Cameroon, and it affirms that the US. continues to hold Cameroon responsible for safeguarding the security and constitutional rights of all of its citizens, regardless of their region, religion, or political views. Further, it urges all parties to the conflict in Cameroon, the government of Cameroon, U.S. foreign relations entities, and members of the international community to take specified steps toward resolving the ongoing civil conflict.

Primary Sponsor: James Risch R-ID

Status: 1/1/21 Agreed to in Senate, 19 Cosponsors

*See H.Res.358

  1. S.Res.760 A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the atrocities perpetrated by the Government of the People's Republic of China against Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and members of other Muslim minority groups in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region constitutes genocide.

This resolution expresses that the atrocities perpetrated by the Chinese government against Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and members of other Muslim minority groups in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region constitutes genocide.

Primary Sponsor: John Cornyn R-TX

Status: 10/26/20 Referred to Foreign Relations Committee, 17 Cosponsors

HUMAN RIGHTS AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM GROUPS  FOR MEMBERS OF THE SENATE

SENATE HUMAN RIGHTS CAUCUS

The Caucus is a bipartisan effort to highlight the importance of human rights in U.S. foreign policy. The mission of the Caucus is to defend and advocate for internationally recognized human rights norms around the world and contribute to global leadership in promoting and protecting human rights. Membership is open to all members of the Senate. The Caucus holds briefings on a wide range of issues.

SENATE BIPARTISAN TASK FORCE FOR COMBATING ANTI-SEMITISM

The mission of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism is to collaborate with our colleagues in the House, law enforcement, the White House, federal agencies, state and local government, educators, advocates, clergy, and other stakeholders to combat anti-Semitism by educating and empowering our communities. We shall accomplish this by supporting legislative efforts to combat anti-Semitism, promoting Holocaust education, and bringing the issue of condemning and combating anti-Semitism to the forefront of our national conversation.

DEFENDING FREEDOMS PROJECT

The Defending Freedoms Project (DFP) supports prisoners of conscience around the world. DFP aims to increase attention to human rights abuses by encouraging Members of Congress to advocate on behalf of prisoners of conscience wherever they may be found. The project allows Members to stand in solidarity with prisoners of conscience, let them know they have not been forgotten, and encourage accountability for unjust treatment. Any Member of Congress who chooses to support the case of a prisoner is provided with a detailed toolkit to help facilitate in his/her advocacy efforts.  By taking on a prisoner’s case, the Member could contribute to the release or reduction of a prison sentence or the improvement of prison conditions, while also raising awareness about the unjust laws or policies that led to imprisonment. The project is flexible, allowing Members to determine and pursue different advocacy activities.