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HR 440 112th Congress House International Affairs Afghanistan Africa Algeria Asia Bahrain Bangladesh Bhutan Department of State Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad Egypt Executive agency funding and structure Federal officials Gaza Strip Human rights India Iran Iraq Israel Jordan

To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia.

Introduced: February 10, 2011 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 112th Congress ended
It never became law before the 112th Congress (2011–2012) 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 16 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 23, 2012
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 292.
Dec 17, 2011
Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Jul 29, 2011
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5750)
Jul 29, 2011
Received in the Senate.
Jul 29, 2011
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jul 29, 2011
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 - 20 (Roll no. 673). (text: CR 7/27/2011 H5595-5596)
Jul 27, 2011
Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jul 27, 2011
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5595-5600)
Jul 27, 2011
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Jul 27, 2011
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 440.
Mar 1, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights.
Mar 1, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia .
Jan 25, 2011
Introduced in House
Jan 25, 2011
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Jan 25, 2011
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E106-107)
Jan 24, 2011
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H402)
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Jul 29, 2011 House · vote #673 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 402–20 See who voted →
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

(Sec. 2) Directs the President to appoint a Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia within the Department of State.

(Sec. 3) Requires the Special Envoy to: (1) promote the right of religious freedom of religious minorities in the countries of the Near East and South Central Asia, denounce the violation of such right, and recommend appropriate U.S government responses to such violations; (2) monitor and combat acts of religious intolerance and incitement targeted against such religious minorities; (3) ensure that the needs of such religious minority communities are addressed, including economic and security needs directly tied to religious-based discrimination and persecution; (4) work with foreign governments of such countries to address inherently discriminatory laws; and (5) coordinate and assist in the preparation of specified reports required by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.

(Sec. 4) Authorizes the Special Envoy, subject to direction by the President and the Secretary of State, to represent the United States in matters and cases relevant to religious freedom in: (1) contacts with foreign governments, intergovernmental organizations, and specialized agencies of the United Nations (U.N.), the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe, and other international organizations; and (2) multilateral conferences and meetings relevant to religious freedom.

(Sec. 5) Requires the Special Envoy to give priority to programs, projects, and activities for Egypt, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

(Sec. 6) Authorizes, from amounts available for Diplomatic and Consular Programs, $1 million to be appropriated each fiscal year from FY2011-FY2015. Provides that no additional funds are authorized to be appropriated for such Programs to carry out this Act.

Directs the Secretary, unless otherwise authorized or required by law, to eliminate positions within the Department as necessary to offset the costs to be incurred for hiring staff, conducting investigations, and for the necessary travel to carry out this Act.

(Sec. 7) Declares that this Act shall cease to be effective on October 1, 2015.

What's happening now January 23, 2012

Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 292.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 1245 Related bill Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act of 2011
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 43
All 43 Democratic 11 Republican 11
LEVIN, SANDER
· Jul 25, 2011
 R
Carter, John R.
Texas · Jun 15, 2011
Duffy, Sean
· May 11, 2011
Sutton, Betty
· May 10, 2011
WU, DAVID
· Apr 8, 2011
 R
Bilirakis, Gus M.
Florida · Apr 7, 2011
 D
McGovern, James P.
Massachusetts · Apr 5, 2011
 D
Lofgren, Zoe
California · Apr 1, 2011
 R
Kelly, Mike
Pennsylvania · Mar 29, 2011
 D
Lynch, Stephen F.
Massachusetts · Mar 29, 2011
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Mar 10, 2011
PAYNE, DONALD
· Mar 10, 2011
 R
Aderholt, Robert B.
Alabama · Mar 8, 2011
Barletta, Lou
· Mar 8, 2011
Cardoza, Dennis
· Mar 8, 2011
 D
Van Hollen, Chris
Maryland · Mar 8, 2011
Yoder, Kevin
· Mar 8, 2011
 R
Cassidy, Bill
Louisiana · Mar 4, 2011
Roskam, Peter
· Mar 4, 2011
 D
Cleaver, Emanuel
Missouri · Mar 3, 2011
 R
Griffith, H. Morgan
Virginia · Mar 3, 2011
McCotter, Thaddeus
· Mar 3, 2011
OLVER, JOHN
· Mar 3, 2011
 R
Rogers, Mike D.
Alabama · Mar 3, 2011
 D
Sherman, Brad
California · Mar 3, 2011
 D
Murphy, Christopher
Connecticut · Feb 28, 2011
 D
Peters, Gary C.
Michigan · Feb 18, 2011
Marino, Tom
· Feb 17, 2011
SENSENBRENNER, F.
· Feb 17, 2011
LOBIONDO, FRANK
· Feb 15, 2011
Ross, Dennis
· Feb 14, 2011
 R
Walberg, Tim
Michigan · Feb 14, 2011
 R
Wilson, Joe
South Carolina · Feb 14, 2011
BARTLETT, ROSCOE
· Feb 11, 2011
Bishop, Rob
· Feb 10, 2011
PENCE, MIKE
· Feb 10, 2011
 D
Cohen, Steve
Tennessee · Feb 8, 2011
Gowdy, Trey
· Feb 8, 2011
 D
Schakowsky, Janice D.
Illinois · Feb 8, 2011
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · Jan 26, 2011
Fortenberry, Jeff
· Jan 26, 2011
Franks, Trent
· Jan 25, 2011
 R
Smith, Christopher H.
New Jersey · Jan 25, 2011
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 440: To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia.. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-440/
MLA
"H.R. 440: To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia.." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-440/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 440, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-440/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 440: To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia.](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-440/)
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