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Sanctions Against Iraqi Chemical Weapons Use Act

Introduced: September 22, 1988 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 17 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 1, 1988
Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1049.
Oct 1, 1988
Referred to Subcommittee on International Finance, Trade and Monetary Policy.
Oct 1, 1988
Referred to Subcommittee on International Development Institutions and Finance.
Sep 29, 1988
Received in the Senate.
Sep 27, 1988
Passed House (Amended) by Yea-Nay Vote: 388 - 16 (Record Vote No: 353).
Sep 27, 1988
Passed/agreed to in House: Passed House (Amended) by Yea-Nay Vote: 388 - 16 (Record Vote No: 353).
Sep 26, 1988
Considered by House Unfinished Business.
Sep 26, 1988
Called up by House Under Suspension of Rules.
Sep 26, 1988
Reported to House (Amended) by House Committee on Ways and Means. Report No: 100-981 (Part I).
Sep 23, 1988
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
Sep 23, 1988
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Sep 22, 1988
Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means.
Sep 22, 1988
Ordered to be Reported.
Sep 22, 1988
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Sep 22, 1988
Referred to House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Sep 22, 1988
Referred to House Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs.
Sep 22, 1988
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Sanctions Against Iraqi Chemical Weapons Use Act - Sets forth congressional findings concerning Iraq's use of chemical weapons and the treatment of the Kurdish people in Iraq.

Prohibits: (1) the sale to Iraq of any license for the export to Iraq of any item on the U.S. Munitions list; (2) the issuance of any license for the export to Iraq of any item on the U.S. Munitions list; (3) the export to Iraq of any goods or technology on the Export Administration Act control list; and (4) the issuance of licenses for the export to Iraq of any chemical that the President determines may be used primarily in the production of chemical weapons or devoted to chemical warfare purposes.

Requires the President to impose additional sanctions against Iraq, unless he certifies to the Congress that: (1) Iraq is not using chemical weapons in violation of international law; (2) Iraq has provided reliable assurances that it will not use chemical weapons in the future; and (3) Iraq is willing to allow on-site inspections by the United Nations or other impartial observers, or other reliable means exist to ensure that Iraq is not using chemical weapons.

Authorizes the following additional sanctions: (1) prohibiting or restricting the importation of oil, petroleum products, or other goods from Iraq; (2) prohibiting or restricting the export to Iraq of agricultural commodities and other goods and technology under authority of the Export Administration Act; (3) denying Government credits, guarantees of credits, and other assistance to Iraq; (4) opposing any loan or financial or technical assistance to Iraq by international financial institutions; or (5) downgrading or suspending diplomatic relations with Iraq. Specifies that contract sanctity shall apply for contracts signed before September 15, 1988. Requires the President to report to the Congress periodically on any such actions taken.

Allows the President to lift any sanctions imposed pursuant to this Act if the President determines and certifies to the Congress that Iraq: (1) is not using chemical weapons; (2) has provided reliable assurances that it will not use chemical weapons in the future; and (3) is willing to allow on-site inspections by the United Nations or other impartial observers, or other means exist to ensure that Iraq is not using chemical weapons.

Urges Turkey to cooperate with any United Nations or other appropriate investigation of Iraqi use of chemical weapons. Commends Turkey for its humanitarian decision to accept Kurdish refugees.

Calls upon the President to: (1) bring before the United Nations the matter of Iraq's use of poison gas against its own nationals; and (2) demand that appropriate and effective measures be taken against Iraq for its repeated use of chemical weapons.

Calls upon the President to seek multinational cooperation in: (1) imposing sanctions and otherwise bringing pressure on Iraq in order to obtain a cessation of Iraq's use of chemical weapons; and (2) obtaining Iraqi respect for the internationally recognized human rights of the Kurdish minority in Iraq.

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should cooperate with and participate in multilateral efforts to assist Kurdish refugees who are in need of medical treatment and other humanitarian aid.

States that it is the policy of the United States to prohibit the export of goods and technology to Iraq that would significantly contribute to its military potential.

Urges the President to review any proposed export to Iraq of goods or technology valued at over $50,000,000.

What's happening now October 1, 1988

Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1049.

 Committees of jurisdiction 5