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Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2020

Introduced: November 16, 2020 Introduced by: Smith, Christopher H. Republican · New Jersey See on congress.gov
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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 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
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 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.

 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 12
All 12 Democratic 6 Republican 2
KIND, RON
· Nov 18, 2020
 D
Waters, Maxine
California · Nov 16, 2020
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Oct 23, 2020
 D
Cohen, Steve
Tennessee · Oct 9, 2020
 D
Sherman, Brad
California · Oct 9, 2020
Deutch, Theodore
· Sep 30, 2020
 R
Fitzpatrick, Brian K.
Pennsylvania · Sep 30, 2020
ENGEL, ELIOT
· Sep 29, 2020
 D
Kaptur, Marcy
Ohio · Sep 29, 2020
 D
Keating, William R.
Massachusetts · Sep 29, 2020
Kinzinger, Adam
· Sep 29, 2020
 R
McCaul, Michael T.
Texas · Sep 29, 2020
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 8438: Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2020. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8438/
MLA
"H.R. 8438: Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2020." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8438/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 8438, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8438/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 8438: Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2020](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8438/)
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