Monday, July 6, 2020

A House panel has approved substantial coronavirus-related increases in funding for refugees, aimed principally at overseas refugee and overseas humanitarian assistance, The refugee-related spending provisions include more-or-less level base funding for those areas.  However, they include a total of $2.25 BILLION of additional coronavirus-related funding.

Other highlights of the spending measure include an extension and expansion of a program that has permitted Afghan translators who helped the United States during the war there to immigrate to the United States and receive refugee benefits; continuation of language from previous years barring a reorganization of the bureau that administers the Department of State's refugee admissions and overseas refugee assistance programs; and a one year-long extension of a program that provides a relaxed adjudicatory standard for religious minorities in the former Soviet Union and Iran seeking admission to the United States as refugees.

Action on Fiscal Year 2021 refugee spending occurred on Monday, July 6, 2020, in connection with the Fiscal Year 2021 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill, which funds the federal government's foreign policy and international humanitarian operations.  The measure was approved by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Program by a voice vote, during which the Subcommittee entertained no amendments.

President Signs Bill to Protect the
Human Rights of Uyghurs ​​

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

The President's action today occurred in connection with S. 3744, the "Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020", legislation championed by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ),  The House passed the bipartisan measure on Wednesday, May 27, 2020, by a vote of 413-1, clearing it for the President's consideration by a veto-proof majority.  ​The Senate had passed S. 3.744 on May 14, 2020, by unanimous consent.​ 

The Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act was developed amid growing congressional frustration with what members on both sides of the aisle have perceived as President Trump’s unwillingness to make the human rights practices of foreign governments a priority, as well their perception that the President has been unwilling to challenge China, specifically, over its human rights abuses.

​As signed into law, the measure imposes sanctions on foreign individuals and entities responsible for human rights abuses in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous region and require various reports on the topic..

House Clears for the President's Consideration a Bill to Protect the Human Rights of Uyghurs 

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Video of the House Floor Debate on the "Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020"

The full U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation addressing the human rights situation facing Uyghurs in the People’s Republic of China.​  This week's House action occurred in connection with S. 3744, the "Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020",  Ignoring hints of a possible presidential veto, the House passed the bipartisan measure on Wednesday, May 27, 2020, by a vote of 413-1, clearing it for the President's consideration by a veto-proof majority.

The Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act was developed amid growing congressional frustration with what members on both sides of the aisle have perceived as President Trump’s unwillingness to make the human rights practices of foreign governments a priority, as well their perception that the President has been unwilling to challenge China, specifically, over its human rights abuses.

​As cleared for the President's consideration, S. 3744 would impose sanctions on foreign individuals and entities responsible for human rights abuses in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous region and require various reports on the topic..

Monday, May 25, 2020

Thursday, May 14, 2020

The Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act was developed amid growing congressional frustration with what members on both sides of the aisle have perceived as President Trump’s unwillingness to make the human rights practices of foreign governments a priority, as well their perception that the President has been unwilling to challenge China, specifically, over its human rights abuses.

​As passed by the Senate, S. 3744 would impose sanctions on foreign individuals and entities responsible for human rights abuses in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous region and require various reports on the topic..

The full Senate this week passed legislation addressing the human rights situation facing Uyghurs in the People’s Republic of China.​  This week's Senate action occurred in connection with S. 3744, the "Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020",  The Senate passed the bipartisan measure by unanimous consent on Thursday, May 14, 2020.