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HR 1687 113th Congress House

Countering ALBA Act of 2013

Official title: To provide for the imposition of sanctions with respect to foreign persons responsible for or complicit in ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing, the c… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To provide for the imposition of sanctions with respect to foreign persons responsible for or complicit in ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing, the commission of serious human rights abuses against citizens of ALBA countries, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 23, 2013 See on congress.gov
International Affairs BoliviaBroadcasting, cable, digital technologiesComputer security and identity theftComputers and information technology
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Congressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationDetention of personsDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadDue process and equal protectionEconomic theoryEcuadorElections, voting, political campaign regulationFirearms and explosivesForeign and international bankingForeign propertyGovernment information and archivesHuman rightsInternational organizations and cooperationInternet and video services
This bill died when the 113th Congress ended
It never became law before the 113th Congress (2013–2014) 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 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 14, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
Jun 7, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.
Jun 7, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations.
Jun 3, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.
Apr 23, 2013
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Ways and Means, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Apr 23, 2013
Introduced in House
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 Latest action June 14, 2013

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Countering ALBA Act of 2013 - Requires the Secretary of State to direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States to defend, protect, and strengthen the independent Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to advance the protection of human rights throughout the Western Hemisphere.

Directs the President to impose sanctions against certain listed officials of ALBA governments (Venezuela, Nicaragua, Bolivia, and Ecuador) or persons acting on behalf of ALBA governments who the President determines are responsible for, or complicit in, the commission of serious human rights abuses against citizens of ALBA countries or their family members on or after February 2, 1999. Includes among authorized sanctions ineligibility for a U.S. entry visa and sanctions pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Terminates such sanctions when the President determines and certifies to the congressional foreign relations committees that the ALBA governments have: (1) unconditionally released all political prisoners; (2) ceased violence, unlawful detention, torture, and abuse of its citizens; (3) conducted a transparent investigation into the killings, arrests, and abuse of peaceful political activists, and prosecuted those responsible; and (4) made public commitments to, and are making demonstrable progress toward, establishing an independent judiciary and respecting the human rights and basic freedoms recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Directs the President to impose sanctions against listed individuals who transfer goods or provide services to ALBA countries that are likely to be used to commit serious human rights abuses.

Directs the President to impose sanctions against listed persons who engage in censorship or other related activities against citizens of ALBA countries.

Directs the Secretary of State to submit to the foreign relations committees a comprehensive strategy: (1) to assist the people of ALBA countries in promoting Internet freedom and access to information, and (2) to ensure that ALBA governments are democratic governments.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 8
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1687: Countering ALBA Act of 2013. 113th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-1687/
MLA
"H.R. 1687: Countering ALBA Act of 2013." 113th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-1687/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1687, 113th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-1687/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1687: Countering ALBA Act of 2013](https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-1687/)
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