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Protecting Human Rights During Pandemic Act

USA116th CongressHR-6986| House 
| Updated: 10/1/2020
James P. McGovern

James P. McGovern

Democratic Representative

Massachusetts

Cosponsors (18)
Tom Malinowski (Democratic)Abigail Davis Spanberger (Democratic)Karen Bass (Democratic)David N. Cicilline (Democratic)David J. Trone (Democratic)Ilhan Omar (Democratic)Dina Titus (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican)Matt Cartwright (Democratic)Ann Wagner (Republican)Dean Phillips (Democratic)Theodore E. Deutch (Democratic)Brad Sherman (Democratic)Jamie Raskin (Democratic)William R. Keating (Democratic)Albio Sires (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Foreign Affairs Committee, Africa Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Protecting Human Rights During Pandemic Act This bill establishes strategies and reporting requirements related to internationally recognized human rights and COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill requires the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development to submit (1) a strategy for carrying out programs to support democratic institutions, freedom of the press, civil society, and human rights defenders in countries where government measures in response to COVID-19 violated or undermined internationally recognized human rights; and (2) a five-year strategic plan outlining the steps to address persistent human rights issues in the aftermath of COVID-19. The bill also conditions the provision of security assistance to a foreign government on consideration of whether the foreign government used emergency laws, policies, or administrative procedures in violation of internationally recognized human rights. Further, the bill requires the State Department to author initial, monthly, and final reports describing, among other things (1) specified countries' adherence to certain human rights principles in responding to COVID-19, (2) the actions of the U.S. government to address foreign governments' violations of human rights in responding to COVID-19, (3) the impact of such violations on things such as access to health care and the efforts and ability to control the pandemic, and (4) the U.S government's global efforts to counter disinformation and disseminate accurate information about the pandemic. The bill also requires the inclusion of certain information, such as the misuse and abuse of emergency powers, in the annual country reports on human rights practices.
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Timeline
May 21, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 116-3819
Introduced in Senate
May 22, 2020
Introduced in House
May 22, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Jun 26, 2020
Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations.
Oct 1, 2020
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Oct 1, 2020
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organization Discharged.
Oct 1, 2020
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
  • May 21, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 116-3819
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 22, 2020
    Introduced in House


  • May 22, 2020
    Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.


  • June 26, 2020
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations.


  • October 1, 2020
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • October 1, 2020
    Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organization Discharged.


  • October 1, 2020
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • S 116-3819: Protecting Human Rights During Pandemic Act
Cardiovascular and respiratory healthComputer security and identity theftCongressional oversightDetention of personsDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadElections, voting, political campaign regulationEmergency medical services and trauma careForeign aid and international reliefGovernment information and archivesHealth care coverage and accessHuman rightsInfectious and parasitic diseasesIntelligence activities, surveillance, classified informationInternational organizations and cooperationInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaMilitary assistance, sales, and agreementsMinority healthNews media and reportingRacial and ethnic relationsReligionRight of privacySex, gender, sexual orientation discriminationSovereignty, recognition, national governance and statusWomen's rights

Protecting Human Rights During Pandemic Act

USA116th CongressHR-6986| House 
| Updated: 10/1/2020
Protecting Human Rights During Pandemic Act This bill establishes strategies and reporting requirements related to internationally recognized human rights and COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill requires the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development to submit (1) a strategy for carrying out programs to support democratic institutions, freedom of the press, civil society, and human rights defenders in countries where government measures in response to COVID-19 violated or undermined internationally recognized human rights; and (2) a five-year strategic plan outlining the steps to address persistent human rights issues in the aftermath of COVID-19. The bill also conditions the provision of security assistance to a foreign government on consideration of whether the foreign government used emergency laws, policies, or administrative procedures in violation of internationally recognized human rights. Further, the bill requires the State Department to author initial, monthly, and final reports describing, among other things (1) specified countries' adherence to certain human rights principles in responding to COVID-19, (2) the actions of the U.S. government to address foreign governments' violations of human rights in responding to COVID-19, (3) the impact of such violations on things such as access to health care and the efforts and ability to control the pandemic, and (4) the U.S government's global efforts to counter disinformation and disseminate accurate information about the pandemic. The bill also requires the inclusion of certain information, such as the misuse and abuse of emergency powers, in the annual country reports on human rights practices.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 21, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 116-3819
Introduced in Senate
May 22, 2020
Introduced in House
May 22, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Jun 26, 2020
Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations.
Oct 1, 2020
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Oct 1, 2020
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organization Discharged.
Oct 1, 2020
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
  • May 21, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 116-3819
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 22, 2020
    Introduced in House


  • May 22, 2020
    Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.


  • June 26, 2020
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations.


  • October 1, 2020
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • October 1, 2020
    Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organization Discharged.


  • October 1, 2020
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
James P. McGovern

James P. McGovern

Democratic Representative

Massachusetts

Cosponsors (18)
Tom Malinowski (Democratic)Abigail Davis Spanberger (Democratic)Karen Bass (Democratic)David N. Cicilline (Democratic)David J. Trone (Democratic)Ilhan Omar (Democratic)Dina Titus (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican)Matt Cartwright (Democratic)Ann Wagner (Republican)Dean Phillips (Democratic)Theodore E. Deutch (Democratic)Brad Sherman (Democratic)Jamie Raskin (Democratic)William R. Keating (Democratic)Albio Sires (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Foreign Affairs Committee, Africa Subcommittee

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • S 116-3819: Protecting Human Rights During Pandemic Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Cardiovascular and respiratory healthComputer security and identity theftCongressional oversightDetention of personsDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadElections, voting, political campaign regulationEmergency medical services and trauma careForeign aid and international reliefGovernment information and archivesHealth care coverage and accessHuman rightsInfectious and parasitic diseasesIntelligence activities, surveillance, classified informationInternational organizations and cooperationInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaMilitary assistance, sales, and agreementsMinority healthNews media and reportingRacial and ethnic relationsReligionRight of privacySex, gender, sexual orientation discriminationSovereignty, recognition, national governance and statusWomen's rights