Skip to main content
S 653 113th Congress Senate International Affairs Africa Asia Department of State Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad Executive agency funding and structure Federal officials Human rights Middle East Religion

Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act of 2014

Introduced: March 22, 2013 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 19 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 8, 2014
Became Public Law No: 113-161.
Aug 8, 2014
Signed by President.
Jul 29, 2014
Presented to President.
Jul 25, 2014
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jul 25, 2014
On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H6837-6838)
Jul 25, 2014
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.(text: CR H6837-6838)
Jul 25, 2014
Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H6837-6838)
Jul 25, 2014
Mr. Smith (NJ) asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.
Jul 14, 2014
Held at the desk.
Jul 14, 2014
Received in the House.
Jul 14, 2014
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Jul 10, 2014
Passed Senate with amendments by Voice Vote. (text: CR S4435-4436)
Jul 10, 2014
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Voice Vote.(text: CR S4435-4436)
Jul 10, 2014
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4435-4436)
Dec 18, 2013
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 268.
Dec 18, 2013
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez without amendment. Without written report.
Dec 18, 2013
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Mar 22, 2013
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Mar 22, 2013
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on July 10, 2014. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act of 2014 - (Sec. 2) Authorizes 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. Requires the Special Envoy to have the rank of ambassador.

(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) Provides for the Special Envoy to consult, as appropriate, with domestic and international nongovernmental organizations and multilateral organizations and institutions.

(Sec. 6) Terminates this Act on October 1, 2019.

(Sec. 7) Authorizes the Secretary of State to provide specified amounts to the Special Envoy from amounts appropriated for FY2015-FY2019.

What's happening now August 8, 2014

Became Public Law No: 113-161.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1