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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 1587 (108th)

Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2004

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

3 April 2003

Last action

23 July 2004 · Introduced

Status

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Sponsors

Christopher Smith, ED ROYCE, DANA ROHRABACHER, Rep. Wolf, Frank R. [R-VA-10], Rep. Souder, Mark E. [R-IN-3], Rep. Pence, Mike [R-IN-6], JOSEPH CROWLEY, Zoe Lofgren, ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Rep. Davis, Tom [R-VA-11], Rep. Towns, Edolphus [D-NY-11], Rep. McNulty, Michael R. [D-NY-23], Rep. Brown-Waite, Ginny [R-FL-5], Rep. Ballenger, Cass [R-NC-10], Rep. Sanchez, Loretta [D-CA-46], SAM JOHNSON, WM. CLAY, Rep. Beauprez, Bob [R-CO-7], GENE GREEN, Rep. English, Phil [R-PA-3], Rep. Green, Mark [R-WI-8], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Wynn, Albert Russell [D-MD-4], Rep. Bell, Chris [D-TX-25], Rep. Moran, James P. [D-VA-8], Rep. Payne, Donald M. [D-NJ-10], Rep. Cox, Christopher [R-CA-40], Rep. Gallegly, Elton [R-CA-21], Rep. Moore, Dennis [D-KS-3], Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD], Rep. Weldon, Curt [R-PA-7], Rep. Andrews, Robert E. [D-NJ-1], Rep. Honda, Michael M. [D-CA-17], Robert Aderholt, Rep. McCotter, Thaddeus G. [R-MI-11], Rep. Filner, Bob [D-CA-51]

Subjects

Asylum

Source updated

7 April 2025

Asylum

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Summary

Viet Nam Human Rights Act of 2003 - Prohibits U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to the Government of Viet Nam (except for any program assisted in FY 2003) unless the President certifies to Congress that: (1) the Government of Viet Nam has made substantial progress toward releasing all political and religious prisoners from imprisonment, including respecting freedom of religion and the human rights of members of ethnic minority groups in the Central Highlands or elsewhere in Viet Nam; and (2) neither any official of the Government of Viet Nam nor any entity owned by such Government was complicit in a severe form of trafficking in persons (or the Government of Viet Nam took appropriate steps to end such complicity). Authorizes the President to waive such requirements if increased U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance would promote the purposes of this Act or is otherwise in the U.S. national interest. Requires the President to ensure that certain human rights requirements are applied to multilateral nonhumanitarian assistance to Viet Nam by specified international financial institutions. Authorizes the President to provide U.S. assistance, through appropriate nongovernmental organizations, for the support of individuals and organizations to promote human rights and nonviolent democratic change in Viet Nam. Declares it is U.S. policy: (1) to take such measures as are necessary to overcome the jamming of Radio Free Asia by the Government of Viet Nam; and (2) that educational and cultural exchange programs with Viet Nam should promote progress toward freedom and democracy. Declares it is U.S. policy to offer refugee resettlement to Viet Nam nationals (including members of the Montagnard ethnic minority groups) who are eligible for the Orderly Departure Program or any other U.S. refugee program, but who were deemed ineligible for reasons of administrative error or certain circumstances beyond their control. Directs the Secretary of State to report annually to Congress on: (1) whether requirements in the President's determination and certification have been met, or on the President's waiver of such requirements; (2) U.S. efforts to secure transmission sites for Radio Free Asia in countries close to Viet Nam; (3) efforts to ensure that educational and cultural exchange programs with Viet Nam promote certain participation policies; (4) U.S. steps to offer refugee resettlement to certain Viet Nam nationals; (5) actions of the Government of Viet Nam reflecting compliance with or violation of human rights; (6) lists of persons believed to be persecuted by the Government of Viet Nam for their pursuit of human rights; and (7) a description of projects funded by multilateral organizations operating in Viet Nam.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 3 April 2003

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, 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.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 3 April 2003

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, 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.

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 3 April 2003

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 3 April 2003

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  5. 11 April 2003

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.

    Source: Committee

  6. 24 June 2004

    Passed

    Committee Agreed to Seek Consideration Under Suspension of the Rules, (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Committee

  7. 14 July 2004

    Vote

    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 until July 15.

    Source: Floor

  8. 14 July 2004

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1587.

    Source: Floor

  9. 14 July 2004

    Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5741-5752)

    Source: Floor

  10. 14 July 2004

    Floor

    Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

    Source: Floor

  11. 19 July 2004

    Vote

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 323 - 45 (Roll no. 391). (text: CR 7/14/2004 CR H5741-5743)

    Source: Floor

  12. 19 July 2004

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  13. 19 July 2004

    Vote

    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): 323 - 45 (Roll no. 391).(text: CR 7/14/2004 CR H5741-5743)

    Source: Floor

  14. 19 July 2004

    Floor

    Considered as unfinished business. (CR H5947-5948)

    Source: Floor

  15. 20 July 2004

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate.

    Source: IntroReferral

  16. 23 July 2004

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

    Source: IntroReferral

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

8 official files

Referred in Senate (text)

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Sponsors

Related records

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Sources

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