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HR 2531 105th Congress House

Radio Free Asia Act of 1997

Official title: To provide for increased international broadcasting activities to China.

Introduced: September 23, 1997 Introduced by: Smith, Christopher H. Republican · New Jersey See on congress.gov
International Affairs AntennasAuthorizationCapital investmentsChina
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Chinese languageCivil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCongressCongress and foreign policyCongressional reporting requirementsEast AsiaEconomics and Public FinanceFinance and Financial SectorFreedom of speechGovernment Operations and PoliticsHuman rightsInternational broadcastingInternational propagandaMarshall IslandsPresident and foreign policy
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 28, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
Oct 28, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights.
Sep 23, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
Sep 23, 1997
Introduced in House
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 Latest action October 28, 1997

Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Radio Free Asia Act of 1997 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for: (1) Radio Free Asia; (2) international broadcasting activities, with specified amounts available only for enhanced Voice of America broadcasting to China; and (3) radio construction, with specified amounts only for construction in support of enhanced broadcasting to China. Earmarks amounts for: (1) one-time capital costs; (2) additional advanced editing equipment; (3) additional personnel to staff Cantonese language broadcasting; and (4) augmentation of transmitters at Tinian, Marshall Islands.

Directs the President to report to the Congress on a plan to achieve continuous broadcasting of Radio Free Asia and Voice of America to China in multiple major dialects and languages.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2531: Radio Free Asia Act of 1997. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2531/
MLA
"H.R. 2531: Radio Free Asia Act of 1997." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2531/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2531, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2531/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2531: Radio Free Asia Act of 1997](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2531/)
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