Congress 110 - HR 3096 - Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2007

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Administration of justice American investments Armed Forces and National Security Arms control Arms sales Arrest Arts, Culture, Religion Cambodia Charities Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Congress Congress and foreign policy Congressional oversight Congressional reporting requirements Crime and Law Enforcement Cultural relations Democracy Deportation Detention of persons Development credit institutions Dissenters Due process of law East Asia Economic assistance Education Educational exchanges Elementary and secondary education Employee rights Equality before the law Ethnic relations Export finance Expropriation Forced labor Foreign loans Foreign Trade and International Finance Freedom of association Freedom of speech Government Operations and Politics Government paperwork Government publicity Higher education Human rights Immigration International Affairs International broadcasting Investment guaranty insurance Labor and Employment Law Legal aid Legal services Military assistance Minorities Misconduct in office Nongovernmental organizations Political persecution Political prisoners President and foreign policy Prosecution Prostitution Punishment Radio broadcasting Refugees Religion Religious liberty Right of assembly Right of asylum Right of property Right to counsel Right to travel Rule of law Science, Technology, Communications Slavery Social Welfare Suspects' rights Torture Transportation and Public Works Vietnam

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Summary

Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2007 - Title I: Prohibition on Nonhumanitarian Assistance to the Government of Vietnam - (Sec. 101) Prohibits U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to the government of Vietnam for FY2008 in excess of FY2007 levels unless the President certifies to Congress that the government of Vietnam has made substantial progress respecting: (1) the release of political and religious prisoners; (2) the right of religious freedom, including the return of church properties; (3) the rights of ethnic minorities; and (4) access to U.S. refugee programs by Vietnamese nationals.

Prohibits U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to the government of Vietnam for subsequent fiscal years in excess of FY2007 levels unless the President certifies to Congress that in addition to such requirements: (1) no government of Vietnam official, agency, or entity wholly or partly owned by the government of Vietnam was complicit in a severe form of trafficking in persons; or (2) the government of Vietnam took all appropriate steps to end any such complicity and hold any official, agency, or entity accountable for such conduct.

Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition for reasons of national interest.

Title II: Assistance to Support Democracy in Vietnam - (Sec. 201) Authorizes the President to provide assistance through nongovernmental organizations and the Human Rights Defenders Fund for the support of individuals and organizations to promote human rights in Vietnam.

Authorizes FY2008-FY2009 appropriations.

Title III: United States Public Diplomacy - (Sec. 301) States that it is U.S. policy to take necessary measures to overcome government of Vietnam jamming of Radio Free Asia.

Authorizes FY2008-FY2009 appropriations for such activities.

(Sec. 302) States that it is U.S. policy that educational and cultural exchange programs with Vietnam should promote progress toward freedom and democracy in Vietnam.

Title IV: United States Refugee Policy - (Sec. 401) States that it is U.S. policy to offer refugee resettlement to Vietnam nationals (including members of the Montagnard ethnic minority groups) who are eligible for the Humanitarian Resettlement program, the Orderly Departure program, the Resettlement Opportunities for Vietnamese Returnees program, the Amerasian Homecoming Act of 1988, or any other U.S. refugee program, but who were deemed ineligible for reasons of administrative error or certain circumstances beyond their control.

Authorizes funds to be made available from FY2008-FY2010 Department of State refugee assistance for the protection and resettlement of Vietnamese refugees and asylum seekers, including Montagnards in Cambodia.

Title V: Annual Report on Progress Toward Freedom and Democracy in Vietnam - (Sec. 501) Directs the Secretary of State to report annually to Congress respecting activities under this Act toward freedom and democracy in Vietnam.

Actions

Sep 19, 2007

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Sep 18, 2007

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 18, 2007

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 - 3 (Roll no. 877). (text: CR 9/17/2007 H10385-10387)
Sep 18, 2007

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 - 3 (Roll no. 877).(text: CR 9/17/2007 H10385-10387)
Sep 18, 2007

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H10481)
Sep 17, 2007

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.
Sep 17, 2007

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3096.
Sep 17, 2007

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10385-10391)
Sep 17, 2007

Mr. Faleomavaega moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jul 31, 2007

Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Voice Vote.
Jul 31, 2007

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jul 19, 2007

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Jul 19, 2007

Introduced in House

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