United States 118th Congress Status: In Committee 1 D cosponsors

S 4044 — Upholding Human Rights Abroad Act

Last action — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 118th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

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Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends existing law to require consideration of human rights records of recipients of support for U.S. special operations and establishes a prohibition on funding if gross human rights violations are known.

  • 10 U.S.C. § 127d

    (F) The processes through which the Secretary shall, in consultation with the Secretary of State, ensure that prior to a decision to provide support to individual members or units of foreign forces, irregular forces, or groups in a foreign country full consideration is given to any credible information available to the Department of State relating to gross violations of human rights by such individuals or units.

    Adds a requirement to consider human rights records before providing support to foreign forces.

  • 10 U.S.C. § 127d

    (F) A description of the human rights record of the recipient, including for purposes of section 362 of this title, and any relevant attempts by such recipient to remedy such record.

    Requires a description of the human rights record of support recipients in reports to Congress.

  • 10 U.S.C. § 127d

    (I) An assessment of how support provided under this section advances United States national security priorities and aligns with other United States Government interests in countries in which activities under the authority in this section are ongoing.

    Mandates an assessment of how support aligns with U.S. national security priorities.

  • 10 U.S.C. § 127d

    (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), no funds may be used to provide support to any individual member or unit of a foreign force, irregular force, or group in a foreign country if the Secretary of Defense has credible information that such individual or unit has committed a gross violation of human rights.

    Establishes a prohibition on using funds to support entities with known human rights violations.

  • 10 U.S.C. § 127d

    (2) Waiver authority.--The Secretary of Defense, after consultation with the Secretary of State, may waive the prohibition under paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines that the waiver is required by extraordinary circumstances.

    Allows for waiving the prohibition on funding under certain extraordinary circumstances.

  • 10 U.S.C. § 127e

    (D) The processes through which the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall ensure that, prior to a decision to provide any support to foreign forces, irregular forces, groups, or individuals, full consideration is given to any credible information available to the Department of State relating to violations of human rights by such entities.

    Implements similar human rights considerations for military operations as established in section 127d.

  • 10 U.S.C. § 127e

    (J) A description of the human rights record of the recipient, including for purposes of section 362 of this title, and any relevant attempts by such recipient to remedy such record.

    Requires detailing recipients' human rights records in legislative notifications.

  • 10 U.S.C. § 127e

    (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), no funds may be used to provide support to any individual member or unit of a foreign force, irregular force, or group in a foreign country if the Secretary of Defense has credible information that such individual or unit has committed a gross violation of human rights.

    Prohibits funding entities with known violations of human rights in military operations.

  • 10 U.S.C. § 127e

    (2) The Secretary of Defense, after consultation with the Secretary of State, may waive the prohibition under paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines that the waiver is required by extraordinary circumstances.

    Provides a waiver process for the prohibition established for funding support.

Action History

  1. Introduced in Senate

  2. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (546)

546 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

civil-rights
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors S 4044?
S 4044 is sponsored by Van Hollen, Chris (Democratic).
What is the current status of S 4044?
This bill died with 118th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track S 4044?
Track S 4044 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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