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Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2012

Introduced: April 7, 2011 Introduced by: Smith, Christopher H. Republican · New Jersey See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 13 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 12, 2012
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Sep 11, 2012
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5835-5837)
Sep 11, 2012
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5835-5837)
Sep 11, 2012
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1410.
Sep 11, 2012
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5835-5842)
Sep 11, 2012
Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Sep 11, 2012
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar 7, 2012
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 7, 2012
Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
May 13, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights.
May 13, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
Apr 7, 2011
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Apr 7, 2011
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2012 - Prohibits U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to the government of Vietnam in excess of FY2011 amounts unless: (1) the federal government provides assistance, in addition to democracy building assistance under this Act, supporting human rights training, civil society building, and exchange programs between the Vietnamese National Assembly and Congress at levels commensurate with or exceeding any increases in nonhumanitarian assistance to Vietnam; and (2) the President certifies to Congress that the government of Vietnam has made substantial progress respecting political, media, and religious freedoms, minority rights, access to U.S. refugee programs, and actions to end trafficking in persons and the release of political prisoners.

Authorizes the President to waive such requirements if increased U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance would promote the purposes of this Act or is otherwise in the U.S. national interest. Limits waiver authority to: (1) all U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to Vietnam; or (2) one or more programs, projects, or activities of such assistance.

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should take measures to overcome the jamming of Radio Free Asia by Vietnam and that the Broadcasting Board of Governors should not cut staffing, funding, or broadcast hours for the Vietnamese language services of the Voice of America and Radio Free Asia; and (2) U.S.-Vietnam educational and cultural exchange programs should promote freedom and democracy in Vietnam by providing opportunities to Vietnamese nationals from a wide range of occupations and perspectives to see freedom and democracy in action and, also, by ensuring that Vietnamese nationals who have demonstrated a commitment to these values are included in such programs.

Sets forth reporting requirements.

What's happening now September 12, 2012

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 3
All 3 Democratic 3