United States 113th Congress Status: Died 1 R cosponsors

HR 4653 — United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2014

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

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. Died in session

This bill died with 113th 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This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis.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.

Summary

United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2014 - Amends the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to reauthorize the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) as an independent federal government advisory body through FY2019. (Sec. 2) Requires USCIRF as a whole to have expertise on the variety of faiths practiced around the world. Requires appointments to USCIRF to be made within 90 days of a vacancy. Removes authority under which a USCIRF member may serve after the expiration of that member's term until a successor has taken office. (Sec. 3) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to require the Secretary of State to receive assistance from USCIRF when establishing training for Foreign Service officers in the field of internationally recognized human rights, including instruction regarding the relationship between religious freedom and security, as well as the role of religious freedom in U.S. foreign policy. (Sec. 4) Encourages the Department of State to allow classified information to be accessed by USCIRF Commissioners and staff with the appropriate security clearance. Requires discrimination on the basis of religion to be treated as a category of employment discrimination for purposes of the employment protections for USCIRF employees. (Sec. 5) Revises restrictions on USCIRF's acceptance of gifts and donations to permit sponsoring private parties to provide compensation and benefits to interns, fellows, and volunteers. Requires the number, duration, and funding source of any such internship, fellowship, or volunteer programs to be described in USCIRF's annual financial report. (Sec. 6) Terminates USCIRF on September 30, 2019.

Bill Text

We don't have the full text on file for this bill yet.

Read HR 4653 on the official United States source →

Action History

  1. Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

  2. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5836)

  3. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4653.

  4. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5836-5839)

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

  6. Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.

  7. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  8. Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent .

  9. Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  10. Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations.

  11. Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

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.

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Subjects

civil-rights
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Frequently asked questions

What does HR 4653 do?
United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2014 - Amends the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to reauthorize the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) as an independent federal government advisory body through FY2019. (Sec. 2) Requires USCIRF as a whole to have expertise on the variety of faiths practiced around the world. Requires appointments to USCIRF to be made within 90 days of a vacancy. Removes authority under which a USCIRF member may serve after the expiration of that member's term until a successor has taken office. (Sec. 3) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to require the Secretary of State to receive assistance from USCIRF when establishing training for Foreign Service officers in the field of internationally recognized human rights, including instruction regarding the relationship between religious freedom and security, as well as the role of religious freedom in U.S. foreign policy. (Sec. 4) Encourages the Department of State to allow classified information to be accessed by USCIRF Commissioners and staff with the appropriate security clearance. Requires discrimination on the basis of religion to be treated as a category of employment discrimination for purposes of the employment protections for USCIRF employees. (Sec. 5) Revises restrictions on USCIRF's acceptance of gifts and donations to permit sponsoring private parties to provide compensation and benefits to interns, fellows, and volunteers. Requires the number, duration, and funding source of any such internship, fellowship, or volunteer programs to be described in USCIRF's annual financial report. (Sec. 6) Terminates USCIRF on September 30, 2019.
Who sponsors HR 4653?
HR 4653 is sponsored by Frank Wolf (Republican).
What is the current status of HR 4653?
This bill died with 113th 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 HR 4653?
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