30
Sep
2013

Congressional Round Up

Congress is considering a number of legislative initiatives that may be of interest to the Iranian American community.  The PAAIA Public Policy Center is pleased to provide a round-up on the status of the legislation. In general, PAAIA focuses on bills and congressional actions concerning three areas: civil liberties, foreign policy towards Iran, and immigration.  PAAIA recognizes that it is important that Iranian Americans be informed about legislative initiatives in these areas and the positions that their members of Congress take concerning them.

 

Bills & Resolutions

 

Immigration

H.R.717: Reuniting Families Act

On February 14, 2013, Representative Michael Honda (D-CA/17th) introduced H.R.717, also known as the Reuniting Families Act.  The legislation has a total of 69 cosponsors, the most recent of whom are Representative Joe Garcia (D-FL/26th), Delegate Eleanor Norton (D-DC/AL), and Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA/2nd), and has been referred to the House Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

H.R.717 would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to help ensure that visas are allocated efficiently, and would reduce the wait times that often keep legal immigrants, and their loved ones overseas, separated for years. The bill would also eliminate discrimination in immigration law against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans and their foreign-born partners.

Foreign Policy

S.559: Justice for Former American Hostages in Iran Act of 2013

On March 13, 2013, Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) introduced S.559, also known as the Justice for Former American Hostages in Iran Act of 2013.  The legislation has gained a total of 8 cosponsors, the most recent of who are Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Kay Hagan (D-NC), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) and has been placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders Calendar Number 183.

S.559 would direct the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a fund that would be used to pay claims of persons who were held hostage for 444 days in Iran (Tehran) when the U.S. embassy was seized there.  Those held hostage (or their family members) could receive $10,000.

S.653: Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act of 2013

On March 22, 2013, Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) introduced S.653, also known as the Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act of 2013.  The legislation has gained a total of 15 co-sponsors, the most recent of whom are Senators Jeff Sessions (R-AL), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Roger Wicker (R-MS), and has been referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

S. 653 provides for the establishment of a Special Envoy to promote religious freedom for religious minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia. The duties of the envoy would include monitoring and combating acts of incitement and intolerance directed against religious minorities, working to ensure that the economic and security needs of such minorities are met, and working with foreign governments in the Near East and South Central Asia to address laws that are religiously discriminatory. The Special Envoy would be subject to the direction of the President and the Secretary of State.  

A similar bill, H.R.301, has been introduced in the House.

S.RES.75: Condemning the Government of Iran for its state-sponsored persecution of its Baha’i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights

On March 12, 2013, Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) introduced S.RES.75.  The legislation has gained a total of 28 co-sponsors, the most recent of whom are Senators Pat Toomey (R-PA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and James Inhofe (R-OK), and has been referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

S.RES.75 calls on Iran to release all prisoners being held solely on account of their religion.  It calls on the U.S. president and secretary of state, in cooperation with responsible nations, to condemn Iran’s continued human rights violations and demand that prisoners held for their religious beliefs be released. 

S.RES.75 also urges the president and secretary to impose sanctions on Iranian government officials and other individuals directly responsible to serious human rights abuses, including abuses against Iran’s Baha’i community. 

S.RES.75 has been introduced in the House of Representatives as H.RES.109.

H.R. 301: Provides for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia

On January 15, 2013, Representative Frank R. Wolf (R-VA/10th) introduced H.R.301. On September 18, a motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill was agreed to in the House by a vote of 402 to 22.  On September 19, H.R.301 was received in the Senate and referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

H.R. 301 provides for the establishment of a Special Envoy to promote religious freedom for religious minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia. The duties of the envoy would include monitoring and combating acts of incitement and intolerance directed against religious minorities, working to ensure that the economic and security needs of such minorities are met, and working with foreign governments in the Near East and South Central Asia to address laws that are religiously discriminatory. The Special Envoy would be subject to the direction of the President and the Secretary of State.  

A similar bill, S.653, has been introduced in the Senate.

H.RES.109: Condemning the Government of Iran for its state-sponsored persecution of its Baha’i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights

On March 12, 2013, Representative Michael G. Grimm (R-NY/11th) introduced H.RES. 109.  The legislation has gained a total of 70 co-sponsors, the most recent of whom are Representatives Tom Cotton (R-AR/4th), Kurt Schrader (D-OR/5th), Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO/3rd), and Robert Brady (D-PA/1st), and has been referred to the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa.

H.RES.109 calls on Iran to release all prisoners being held solely on account of their religion.  It calls on the U.S. president and secretary of state, in cooperation with responsible nations, to condemn Iran’s continued human rights violations and demand that prisoners held for their religious beliefs be released.  H.RES.109 also urges the president and secretary to impose sanctions on Iranian government officials and other individuals directly responsible to serious human rights abuses, including abuses against Iran’s Baha’i community. 

H.RES.109 has been introduced in the Senate as S.RES.75.

 

Special Category:

H.CONG.RES.27: Supporting the formation of a bipartisan Presidential Commission to study the establishment of a National Museum of the American People

On March 19, 2013, Representative James P. Moran (D-VA/8th) introduced H.CONG.RES.27.  The legislation has gained a total of 28 co-sponsors, the most recent of whom are Representatives David Price, (D-NC/4th), Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ/9th), Thomas E. Petri (R-WI/6th), and Steve Cohen (D-TN/9th), and has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

H.CONG.RES.27 would create a presidential commission to study the establishment of a National Museum of the American People. The museum would tell the story of all the peoples who came to the United States and contributed to its success and prosperity.  The museum would also serve as a resource to assist state, local, and ethnic museums in presenting exhibits that celebrate the heritage of the people of the United States.

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