Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2013 - Prohibits U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to the government of Vietnam in excess of FY2012 amounts unless the President certifies to Congress that the government of Vietnam has made substantial progress respecting political, media, and religious freedoms, minority rights, access to U.S. refugee programs, and actions to end trafficking in persons and the release of political prisoners.
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. Allows the President to waive such authority with respect to: (1) all U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to Vietnam; or (2) one or more programs, projects, or activities of such assistance.
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should take measures to overcome the jamming of Radio Free Asia by Vietnam and that the Broadcasting Board of Governors should not cut staffing, funding, or broadcast hours for the Vietnamese language services of the Voice of America and Radio Free Asia; (2) U.S.-Vietnam educational and cultural exchange programs should promote freedom and democracy in Vietnam; (3) the Secretary of State should oppose Vietnam's candidacy for membership on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC); (4) Vietnam should be designated as a country of particular concern for religious freedom; and (5) Vietnam does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance.
| Action Date | Type | Text | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-09-09 | IntroReferral | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. | Senate |
| 2013-08-01 | Floor | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | House floor actions |
| 2013-08-01 | Vote | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 3 (Roll no. 435). (text: CR 7/31/2013 H5249-5251) | House floor actions |
| 2013-08-01 | Floor | Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5295-5296) | House floor actions |
| 2013-07-31 | Floor | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2013-07-31 | Floor | DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1897. | House floor actions |
| 2013-07-31 | Floor | Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5249-5254) | House floor actions |
| 2013-07-31 | Floor | Mr. Royce moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. | House floor actions |
| 2013-06-27 | Committee | Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent. | House committee actions |
| 2013-06-27 | Committee | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. | House committee actions |
| 2013-06-07 | Committee | Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific. | House committee actions |
| 2013-05-15 | Committee | Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Unanimous Consent . | House committee actions |
| 2013-05-15 | Committee | Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. | House committee actions |
| 2013-05-08 | Committee | Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations. | House committee actions |
| 2013-05-08 | IntroReferral | Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. | House floor actions |
| 2013-05-08 | IntroReferral | Introduced in House | Library of Congress |