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H.R. 2037 116th Congress House

Saudi Arabia Human Rights and Accountability Act of 2019

Official title: To encourage accountability for the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

Introduced: April 3, 2019 See on congress.gov
International Affairs AsiaCongressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal procedure and sentencing
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Detention of personsEuropeEvidence and witnessesGovernment ethics and transparency, public corruptionHuman rightsIntelligence activities, surveillance, classified informationMiddle EastNews media and reportingProtest and dissentReligionSanctionsSaudi ArabiaTeaching, teachers, curriculaTurkeyViolent crimeVisas and passportsWomen's rights
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) 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 14 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 16, 2019
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Jul 15, 2019
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jul 15, 2019
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 7 (Roll no. 477). (text: CR H5796-5797)
Jul 15, 2019
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5814)
Jul 15, 2019
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 15, 2019
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2037.
Jul 15, 2019
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5796-5800)
Jul 15, 2019
Mr. Engel moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jun 26, 2019
Committee Agreed to Seek Consideration Under Suspension of the Rules.
Jun 26, 2019
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Jun 26, 2019
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 15, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Apr 2, 2019
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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 2, 2019
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Jul 15, 2019 House · vote #477 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 405–7 See who voted →
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 Latest action July 16, 2019

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

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Saudi Arabia Human Rights and Accountability Act of 2019

This bill requires the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to report to Congress about the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi and imposes related sanctions.

The report shall present evidence about whether any current or former government official of Saudi Arabia had advanced knowledge of the killing, ordered the killing, or was involved in tampering with related evidence.

It shall also list foreign persons that the ODNI has high confidence were responsible for Khashoggi's death, materially assisted in causing the death, or impeded any investigations into the death. The Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security shall bar such foreign persons from entering the United States and revoke visas belonging to such persons.

The State Department shall report to Congress about the extent to which Saudi Arabia is responsible for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights and about U.S. actions to address such violations. The report shall also describe the publication by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Education of intolerant educational materials and U.S. actions to encourage an end to the production and use of such materials.

 Related & companion bills 3
  • HR 2500 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020
  • S 1790 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020
  • S 2351 Saudi Arabia Human Rights and Accountability Act of 2019
 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 5
 Cosponsors 12
All 12 Democratic 8 Republican 3
R
Curtis, John R.
Utah · Jul 15, 2019
 R
Fitzpatrick, Brian K.
Pennsylvania · Jul 15, 2019
 D
Khanna, Ro
California · Jul 15, 2019
 R
Wagner, Ann
Missouri · Jun 26, 2019
 D
Sherman, Brad
California · Jun 25, 2019
 D
Cohen, Steve
Tennessee · May 14, 2019
 D
Raskin, Jamie
Maryland · May 14, 2019
 D
Espaillat, Adriano
New York · Apr 29, 2019
 D
Wasserman Schultz, Debbie
Florida · Apr 15, 2019
ENGEL, ELIOT
· Apr 3, 2019
 D
McGovern, James P.
Massachusetts · Apr 3, 2019
 D
Slotkin, Elissa
Michigan · Apr 3, 2019
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2037: Saudi Arabia Human Rights and Accountability Act of 2019. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-2037/
MLA
"H.R. 2037: Saudi Arabia Human Rights and Accountability Act of 2019." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-2037/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2037, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-2037/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2037: Saudi Arabia Human Rights and Accountability Act of 2019](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-2037/)
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