S.65 — Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act

This bill imposes importation limits on goods produced using forced labor in China, especially the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and imposes sanctions related to such forced labor. The Department of Homeland Security shall report to Congress a strategy for preventing the importation of goods produced in China using forced labor. The strategy must contain certain information, including a list of entities working with the government in Xinjiang to move forced labor or Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, or members of other persecuted groups out of Xinjiang.

Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL] (Introduced 01/27/2021) Cosponsors: (54)

Committees:    Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: House 07/16/2021 Held at the desk (All Actions)

S.1080 — Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act

This bill designates certain residents of the Xinjiang region in China as prioritized refugees of special humanitarian concern and addresses other related issues. This priority designation shall apply to Uyghurs and members of other predominately Turkic or Muslim ethnic groups (and the spouses, children, and parents of such individuals) who (1) reside in or fled Xinjiang and who suffered persecution on account of their religious or ethnic identity, or have a well-founded fear of such persecution; or (2) have been formally charged, detained, or convicted for certain peaceful actions related to Xinjiang.

Sponsor: Coons, Christopher A. [Sen. D-DE] (Introduced 04/13/2021) Cosponsors: (4)

Committees: Senate - Judiciary

Latest Action: Senate - 04/13/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (All Actions)

This bill requires the Department of State to report to Congress an assessment of the persecution of the Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim group in Burma (Myanmar), by Burma's military and security forces, and whether the situation constitutes genocide under U.S. law. The report shall also contain (1) a description of U.S. government actions to ensure that those responsible are held accountable, and (2) recommendations on further actions to take to ensure accountability and to prevent further mass atrocity crimes in Burma.

 Sponsor: Markey, Edward J. [Sen. D-MA] (Introduced 04/15/2021) Cosponsors: (10)

Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations Latest Action: Senate - 04/15/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (All Actions)

S.1310 — Ukraine Religious Freedom Support Act

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

 Sponsor: Wicker, Roger F. [Sen. R-MS] (Introduced 04/22/2021) Cosponsors: (2)

Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: Senate - 04/22/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (All Actions)

S.2142 — Saudi Educational Transparency and Reform Act

This bill directs the Department of State to report to Congress annually on educational materials published by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Education, which are used both inside and outside Saudi Arabia. The report shall detail whether such educational materials include content that could be seen as encouraging violence and intolerance toward religious groups, including Muslims who hold dissenting views. The report shall also discuss related subjects, including the extent to which such materials are exported and efforts by the Saudi government to remove the intolerant content.

Sponsor: Rubio, Marco [Sen. R-FL] (Introduced 06/21/2021) Cosponsors: (1)

Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: Senate - 06/21/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (All Actions)

S.2863 — Afghanistan Counterterrorism, Oversight, and Accountability Act of 2021                                                                          This bill states that the President must impose visa and property-blocking sanctions involving Afghanistan and addresses related issues such as encouraging allies and UN partner countries to impose sanctions against the Taliban. The State Department must establish a task force to (1) implement a strategy relating to the evacuation of Afghanistan, and (2) identify individuals in Afghanistan who have sought admission into the United States as a refugee or humanitarian parolee. The bill also requires various reports, including on (1) a revised strategy for engagement with South and Central Asian countries after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, (2) a counterterrorism strategy for Afghanistan, and (3) the extent of Taliban human rights abuses.

Sponsor: Risch, James E. [Sen. R-ID] (Introduced 09/27/2021) Cosponsors: (29)

Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations Latest Action: Senate - 09/27/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (All Actions)

S.2937 — BURMA Act of 2021

This bill states that the President must impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions pertaining to Burma (Myanmar) on certain foreign persons (i.e., an individual or entity), including those that (1) knowingly operate in Burma's defense sector, (2) are responsible for or complicit in undermining Burma's democratic processes, or (3) are senior leaders in Burma's military or government. The Department of the Treasury must prohibit or impose strict conditions on certain accounts used to facilitate transactions for such sanctioned persons. The President must direct U.S. representatives to the United Nations to vote and advocate for certain actions related to Burma, such as cutting off assistance to Burma's government.

Sponsor: Cardin, Benjamin L. [Sen. D-MD] (Introduced 10/05/2021) Cosponsors: (27)Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: 10/05/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6920-6921) (All Actions)

S.3384 – Combating International Islamophobia Act

This bill establishes within the Department of State the Office to Monitor and Combat Islamophobia and addresses related issues. The office shall monitor and combat acts of Islamophobia and Islamophobic incitement in foreign countries. The bill establishes the position of Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Islamophobia, who shall head the office.

Sponsor: Booker, Cory A. [Sen. D-NJ] (Introduced 12/14/2021) Cosponsors: (7)

Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: Senate - 12/14/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (All Actions)

S.3895 — United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2022

This act reauthorizes the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom through FY2024. The commission is an independent federal commission that monitors international religious freedom violations and makes policy recommendations.

Sponsor: Rubio, Marco [Sen.R-FL] (Introduced 03/22/2022) Cosponsors: (6)

Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: 09/30/2022 Became Public Law No: 117-181. (PDF) (All Actions)

Tracker: This bill has the status Became Law

S.4073 — Uyghur Policy Act of 2022

This bill requires the Department of State to (1) support human rights advocates representing such groups speaking at public diplomacy forums, including in Muslim-majority countries; (2) ensure that Uyghur language training is available to Foreign Service officers; and (3) support the appointment of a special rapporteur or working group at the United Nations to monitor and report on human rights violations and abuses in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China.

Sponsor: Rubio, Marco [Sen. R-FL] (Introduced 04/07/2022) Cosponsors: (0)

Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: Senate - 04/07/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (All Actions)

S.4216 — North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2022

This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 various activities to promote human rights in North Korea. These activities include (1) providing grants to nonprofit organizations to promote human rights, democracy, rule of law, and the development of a market economy in North Korea; (2) increasing the availability of sources of information inside North Korea that are not controlled by North Korea's government; and (3) supporting organizations that provide humanitarian assistance to North Koreans who are outside of North Korea without the permission of North Korea's government.

Sponsor: Rubio, Marco [Sen. R-FL] (Introduced 05/12/2022) Cosponsors: (2)

Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: House - 12/12/2022 Held at the desk. (All Actions)

S.4290 — Iran China Accountability Act

This bill prohibits the use of funds to enter into any negotiation with Iran regarding an Iran nuclear agreement until the President makes specified certifications concerning the actions of China and Iran. Specifically, the President must certify that China has ceased incarcerating Uyghur individuals in the Xinjiang region. Additionally, the President must certify that, among other actions, Iran has terminated all agreements involving the receipt of funds from China and all ties and transfer of cash to Iranian proxy forces, including Hamas.

Sponsor: Blackburn, Marsha [Sen. R-TN] (Introduced 05/24/2022) Cosponsors: (9)

Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: Senate - 05/24/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (All Actions)

S.5082 — Sanction Xi Jinping for Xinjiang Atrocities Act

This bill directs the President to impose sanctions on the senior Chinese Communist Party officials who directed, oversaw, monitored, or were otherwise complicit in the perpetration of genocide and other crimes against humanity against Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China.

Sponsor: Hawley, Josh [Sen. R-MO] (Introduced 11/14/2022) Cosponsors: (0)

Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: Senate - 11/14/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (All Actions)

S.Con.Res.47 — A concurrent resolution commending the bravery, courage, and resolve of the women and men of Iran demonstrating in more than 80 cities and risking their safety to speak out against the Iranian regime's human rights abuses.

The resolution condemns (1) the brutal beating and death of Mahsa Amini; and (2) the violent suppression by the Iranian regime of women and men participating in the current demonstrations, including children. The resolution calls for transparent accountability for all killings of protesters by Iranian security forces. The resolution also encourages continued efforts by the Biden Administration to respond to the protests, including the recent sanctioning of the Iranian morality police.

Sponsor: Menendez, Robert [Sen. D-NJ] (Introduced 09/29/2022) Cosponsors: (23) Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: Senate - 12/07/2022 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 603. (All Actions)

S.Res.13 — A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the International Olympic Committee should rebid the 2022 Winter Olympic Games to be hosted by a country that recognizes and respects human rights.

This resolution calls for the International Olympic Committee to rebid the 2022 Winter Olympics if China fails to demonstrate significant progress in securing fundamental human rights. The resolution also expresses support for the well-being of Olympic athletes and the integrity of sport.

Sponsor: Scott, Rick [Sen. R-FL] (Introduced 01/22/2021) Cosponsors: (7)

Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: Senate - 01/22/2021 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S106-107) (All Actions)

S.Res.35 — A resolution condemning the military coup that took place on February 1, 2021, in Burma and the Tatmadaw's detention of civilian leaders, calling for an immediate and unconditional release of all those detained, promoting accountability and justice for those killed by the Tatmadaw, and calling for those elected to serve in parliament to resume their duties without impediment, and for other purposes.

This resolution states that the Senate supports the people of Burma (Myanmar) in their ambition for democracy, sustainable peace, genuine ethnic and religious reconciliation, and internationally recognized human rights for all. It also calls on the Tatmadaw (the military of Burma) to release all political prisoners detained in the February 1, 2021, military coup, remove restrictions on travel and communications, and return the elected civilian government to power.

Sponsor: Cardin, Benjamin L. [Sen. D-MD] (Introduced 02/04/2021) Cosponsors: (8)

Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: Senate - 02/01/2022 S.Amdt.4920 Amendment SA 4920 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. (All Actions)

S.Res.99 — A resolution observing the 10th anniversary of the uprising in Syria.

This resolution observes the 10th anniversary of the Syrian uprising, wherein hundreds of Syrians assembled to call on their leadership for democratic reforms and respect for their fundamental freedoms. Further, the resolution commends the bravery of Syrian human rights defenders, affirms U.S. policy with respect to Syria, and calls on the United States to reinvigorate diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Syria and to expand humanitarian aid to the Syrian people.

 Sponsor: Menendez, Robert [Sen. D-NJ] (Introduced 03/09/2021) Cosponsors: (17) Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: Senate - 03/24/2021 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 19. (All Actions)

S.Res.105 — A resolution condemning the coup in Burma and calling for measures to ensure the safety of the Burmese people, including Rohingya, who have been threatened and displaced by a campaign of genocide conducted by the Burmese military.

This resolution condemns the February 1, 2021, military coup in Burma (Myanmar) and calls on Burmese authorities to allow journalists, human rights organizations, United Nations monitors, and humanitarian actors full and safe access to every part of the country. The resolution also asks neighboring countries to provide immediate and direct cross-border assistance to address the humanitarian needs of refugees.

Sponsor: Merkley, Jeff [Sen. D-OR] (Introduced 03/11/2021) Cosponsors: (25)

Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: Senate - 03/11/2021 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S1504-1505) (All Actions)

S.Res.131 — A resolution condemning the Government of the People's Republic of China's treatment of the Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) and calling for an investigation into the abuses and crimes committed in the XUAR.

This resolution condemns atrocities committed by the Chinese Communist Party against Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim Turkic groups in Xinjiang. The resolution also urges the President and U.S. government representatives to speak publicly about these human rights abuses and to call for investigation into the atrocities to hold those responsible to account.

Sponsor: Coons, Christopher A. [Sen. D-DE] (Introduced 03/23/2021) Cosponsors: (5)

Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: Senate - 03/23/2021 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S1713-1714) (All Actions)

S.Res.183 — 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 Iran's state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the international covenants on human rights. Further, it calls on Iran to immediately release all imprisoned or detained Baha'is, and it urges the President and the Department of State to impose sanctions on Iranian officials and others who are responsible for serious human rights abuses, including abuses against Iran's Baha'i community.

Sponsor: Wyden, Ron [Sen.D-OR]  (Introduced 04/28/2021) Cosponsors: (36)

Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: Senate - 04/28/2021 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S2297) (All Actions)

S.Res.260 — A resolution remembering the 32nd anniversary of the violent repression of peaceful protests centered in Beijing's Tiananmen Square and expressing the sense of the Senate condemning the Government of the People's Republic of China's ongoing denial of basic rights and fundamental freedoms.

This resolution commemorates the Tiananmen Square protests and their violent suppression by the Chinese government. It also expresses sympathy to families of those killed, tortured, imprisoned, or exiled for participation in the prodemocracy demonstrations of spring 1989.

Sponsor: Rubio, Marco [Sen. R-FL] (Introduced 06/08/2021) Cosponsors: (1)

Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: Senate - 06/08/2021 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S3990-3991) (All Actions

S.Res.342 —A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the practice of politically motivated imprisonment of women around the world and calling on governments for the immediate release of women who are political prisoners.

This resolution expresses support for women who are being unjustly detained around the world for exercising their fundamental rights and calls for their unconditional release.

Sponsor: Menendez, Robert [Sen. D-NJ] (Introduced 08/07/2021) Cosponsors: (9) Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: Senate - 08/07/2021 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S6013-6014) (All Actions)

S.Res.495 — A resolution urging the International Olympic Committee to relocate the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games in response to the refusal of the People's Republic of China to end its egregious human rights abuses, including genocide, forced labor, and crimes against humanity.

This resolution urges (1) the International Olympic Committee to relocate the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games to another country in response to China's refusal to stop committing genocide and crimes against humanity and to take human rights into account in all decisions, especially in selecting future host countries.

Sponsor: Lankford, James [Sen.-R-OK] (Introduced 01/20/2022) Cosponsors: (1)

Committees: Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation

Latest Action: Senate - 01/20/2022 Referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text: S383-384) (All Actions)

S.Res.513 — A resolution recognizing the growing threats against women and children, religious and ethnic minorities, and LGBTQI persons in Afghanistan and against allies of such individuals, such as civil society leaders and activists, scholars, former government officials, journalists, and media workers, and expressing solidarity with and reaffirming the dire need to protect vulnerable and minority populations and their allies in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.

This resolution stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and with vulnerable groups, including women and children; religious and ethnic minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) persons; civil society actors; journalists; and other at-risk populations in Afghanistan.

Sponsor: Markey, Edward J. [Sen. D-MA] (Introduced 02/15/2022) Cosponsors: (9)

Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: Senate - 02/15/2022 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (All Actions)

S.Res.803 — A resolution condemning the detention and death of Mahsa Amini and calling on the Government of Iran to end its systemic persecution of women.

This resolution condemns the death and detention of Mahsa Amini (an Iranian woman who died in the custody of the Morality Policy of Iran after being detained for purportedly wearing her hijab improperly). It also calls on Iran to end its systemic persecution of women.

Sponsor: Coons, Christopher A. [Sen.-D-DE] (Introduced 09/28/2022) Cosponsors: (46)

Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: Senate - 09/28/2022 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S5230) (All Actions)<

S.Res.821 — A resolution condemning the arrest of Cardinal Zen in Hong Kong, and reaffirming the commitment of the Senate to supporting democracy, autonomy, religious freedom, and human rights in Hong Kong.

The resolution calls for all charges to be immediately dropped against Cardinal Zen. The resolution reaffirms religious freedom as a fundamental right. Finally, the resolution also urges the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities to cease targeting Hong Kong's civil society and to immediately release and drop all charges against all political prisoners who have been unjustly detained and charged. 

Sponsor: Cramer, Kevin [Sen.-R-ND] (Introduced 09/29/2022) Cosponsors: (3)

Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: Senate - 09/29/2022 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S5559) (All Actions)

H.R.776 — James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023

Burma Act Amendment: seven separate elements pertaining to U.S. Policy in Myanmar (Introduced 12/15/22)

Latest Action: Senate - 12/15/22 Passed 83 Yeas 11 Nays and 6 Not voting. Became law.