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Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2020

Introduced: September 29, 2020 Introduced by: Smith, Christopher H. Republican · New Jersey See on congress.gov

Everywhere this bill has been 11 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Nov 30, 2020

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

Nov 18, 2020

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Nov 18, 2020

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5915-5917)

Nov 18, 2020

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5915-5917)

Nov 18, 2020

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8438.

Nov 18, 2020

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5915-5920)

Nov 18, 2020

Mr. Espaillat moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

Oct 1, 2020

Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

Oct 1, 2020

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Sep 29, 2020

Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, 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.

Sep 29, 2020

Introduced in House

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2020

This bill expands the President's authority to impose sanctions related to Belarus to include activities surrounding the disputed 2020 Belarusian presidential election and subsequent government crackdown. The bill also expands authorized assistance to Belarus.

The President may impose visa-blocking sanctions on any alien who (1) is a member of the Central Election Commission of Belarus or assisted in the manipulation of the August 9, 2020, presidential election, (2) is a government official responsible for the crackdown on independent media, (3) is an official of the Union State (an international organization consisting of Belarus and Russia), or (4) is a Russian individual who has significantly participated in the crackdown on the press or human rights abuses related to political repression in Belarus. (The President already has authority to impose such sanctions on certain aliens, such as senior leaders in the government of Belarus.)

The bill also expands authorized assistance related to Belarus to include assistance to (1) counter internet censorship and surveillance technology, (2) support the work of women advocating for freedom and human rights, and (3) support political refugees fleeing the crackdown in Belarus.

What's happening now November 30, 2020

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

Committees of jurisdiction 4