S-284 : Still Just a Bill

Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act

Authorizes the President to impose U.S. entry and property sanctions against any foreign person (or entity) who:

  • is responsible for extrajudicial killings, torture, or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights committed against individuals in any foreign country seeking to expose illegal activity carried out by government officials, or to obtain, exercise, or promote human rights and freedoms;
  • acted as an agent of or on behalf of a foreign person in such activities;
  • is a government official responsible for, or complicit in, ordering or otherwise directing acts of significant corruption or the facilitation or transfer of the proceeds of corruption to foreign jurisdictions; or
  • has materially assisted or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, such activities.

Prescribes related penalties.

Authorizes the President, with regard to such sanctions, to:

  • waive their application, with prior congressional notification, if in U.S. national security interests; and
  • terminate them under specified conditions.

States that sanctions shall not apply as necessary to comply with the Agreement between the United Nations (U.N.) and the United States regarding the U.N. Headquarters or other applicable international obligations of the United States.

Directs the President to report to Congress annually regarding each foreign person sanctioned, the type of sanctions imposed, and the reason for their imposition.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2016-05-18CommitteeOrdered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.House committee actions
2016-05-18CommitteeCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.House committee actions
2016-04-18IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.House floor actions
2016-04-18IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.House floor actions
2015-12-18FloorHeld at the desk.House floor actions
2015-12-18FloorMessage on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
2015-12-18FloorReceived in the House.House floor actions
2015-12-17FloorPassed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.Senate
2015-12-17FloorThe committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8836)Senate
2015-12-17FloorMeasure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S8835-8836; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S8835-8836)Senate
2015-07-29CalendarsPlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 174.Senate
2015-07-29CommitteeCommittee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment. Without written report.Senate
2015-07-29CommitteeCommittee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.Senate
2015-01-28IntroReferralRead twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.Senate
2015-01-28IntroReferralIntroduced in SenateLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

International Affairs
See Subjects
  • Administrative law and regulatory procedures
  • Bank accounts, deposits, capital
  • Congressional oversight
  • Department of the Treasury
  • Foreign property
  • Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
  • Human rights
  • Sanctions
  • United Nations
  • Visas and passports
  • War and emergency powers

Related Bills

See Related Bills