H.R. 652 — Introduced in House

I 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 652 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 13, 2013 Mr. Gowdy introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs A BILL To amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to limit assistance to countries that engage in certain discriminatory religious, educational, or freedom of movement practices. 1. Limitation on assistance to countries that engage in certain discriminatory religious, educational, or freedom of movement practices (a) In general Chapter 1 of part III of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2351 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 620N. Limitation on assistance to countries that engage in certain discriminatory religious, educational, or freedom of movement practices (a) Limitation No assistance may be provided under this Act or any other Act to any foreign country the government of which the President determines, and notifies Congress, is engaging in any of the practices described in subsection (b). (b) Practices described The practices referred to in subsection (a) are the following: (1) The government engages in state-sanctioned religious persecution of minority religious groups as evidenced by anti-blasphemy laws or penalties applied to minority religious groups for sharing their faith. (2) The government prevents equal access to education on the basis of gender, race, or ethnicity. (3) The government does not accept the return of nationals of the country who have been removed from another country following a removal proceeding. (c) Exception The limitation on assistance under subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to humanitarian assistance. (d) Waiver The President may waive subsection (a) on a case-by-case basis if the President determines and notifies Congress that it is in the national security interests of the United States to do so. . (b) Effective date Section 620N of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to amounts made available for assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or any other Act that are unobligated on or after such date of enactment.