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HR 3542 115th Congress House International Affairs Congressional oversight Foreign property Human rights Middle East Palestinians Sanctions Terrorism United Nations Visas and passports

Hamas Human Shields Prevention Act

Introduced: February 13, 2018 Introduced by: Wilson, Joe Republican · South Carolina See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 115th Congress ended
It never became law before the 115th Congress (2017–2018) 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 13 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 15, 2018
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Feb 14, 2018
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Feb 14, 2018
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Feb 14, 2018
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 415 - 0 (Roll no. 74). (text: CR 2/13/2018 H1083-1084)
Feb 14, 2018
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1146)
Feb 13, 2018
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.
Feb 13, 2018
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3542.
Feb 13, 2018
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1083-1087)
Feb 13, 2018
Mr. Wilson (SC) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Nov 15, 2017
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Nov 15, 2017
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jul 28, 2017
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on 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.
Jul 28, 2017
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Feb 14, 2018 House · vote #74 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 415–0 See who voted →
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Hamas Human Shields Prevention Act

(Sec. 3) This bill states that it is U.S. policy to condemn Hamas's use of human shields and act against those engaging in or supporting the use of human shields.

(Sec. 4) The President is urged to direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations (U.N.) to use U.S. influence at the Security Council to secure support for a resolution: (1) imposing multilateral sanctions against Hamas's use of human shields; and (2) specifying steps to prevent, and consequences for, the use of U.N. employees as human shields or facilities that enable that use.

(Sec. 5) The President shall prohibit property transactions and U.S. entry (and revoke current visas) with respect to: (1) each foreign person or entity that is a member of or acting on behalf of Hamas and that is responsible for or complicit in Hamas's unlawful attempt to use civilians, civilian property, or other protected persons to shield military objectives from lawful attack; and (2) each foreign person or entity and each agency or instrumentality of a foreign state that has significantly facilitated or attempted to facilitate such an act.

The President may waive a sanction for 180 days with prior congressional certification that such waiver is in U.S. national security interests.

What's happening now February 15, 2018

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

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 3257 Related bill Sanctioning the Use of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act
 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 18
All 18 Democratic 6 Republican 9
R
Barr, Andy
Kentucky · Feb 13, 2018
 R
Cramer, Kevin
North Dakota · Feb 13, 2018
 R
Curtis, John R.
Utah · Feb 13, 2018
Donovan, Daniel
· Feb 13, 2018
 R
Fitzpatrick, Brian K.
Pennsylvania · Feb 13, 2018
 D
Gottheimer, Josh
New Jersey · Feb 13, 2018
 R
Grothman, Glenn
Wisconsin · Feb 13, 2018
 R
Kelly, Mike
Pennsylvania · Feb 13, 2018
Mitchell, Paul
· Feb 13, 2018
 R
Norman, Ralph
South Carolina · Feb 13, 2018
 R
Wagner, Ann
Missouri · Feb 13, 2018
 D
Wasserman Schultz, Debbie
Florida · Feb 13, 2018
 R
Tenney, Claudia
New York · Dec 20, 2017
 D
Frankel, Lois
Florida · Dec 19, 2017
 D
Schneider, Bradley Scott
Illinois · Nov 14, 2017
 D
Sherman, Brad
California · Nov 14, 2017
 D
Moulton, Seth
Massachusetts · Jul 28, 2017
ROS-LEHTINEN, ILEANA
· Jul 28, 2017
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3542: Hamas Human Shields Prevention Act. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-3542/
MLA
"H.R. 3542: Hamas Human Shields Prevention Act." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-3542/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3542, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-3542/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3542: Hamas Human Shields Prevention Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-3542/)
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