,i #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #ehhj ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,february #ab1 #bjbj,ms4 ,omar introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs1 and in addition to the ,committees on the ,judiciary1 ,intelligence 7,permanent ,select71 and ,homeland ,security1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to provide for the imposition of sanctions with respect to foreign countries that are in violation of international human rights law or international humanitarian law1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,stop ,arming ,human ,rights ,abusers ,act4 ,i ,sanctions with respect to foreign countries that are in violation of international human rights law or international humanitarian law #aja4 ,determination of violations of international human rights law or international humanitarian law 7a7 ,in general ,the ,president shall impose the sanctions described in section #ajb with respect to the government of a foreign country if the ,president determines that such government has committed any of the acts described in subsection 7b71 7c71 or 7d74 7b7 ,genocide ,any acts committed with intent to destroy1 in whole or in part1 a national1 ethnical1 racial1 or religious group1 including the following3 7#a7 ,killing members of the group4 7#b7 ,causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group4 7#c7 ,deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part4 7#d7 ,imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group4 7#e7 ,forcibly transferring children of the group to another group4 7c7 ,crimes against humanity 7#a7 ,in general ,any of the following acts when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population3 7,a7 ,murder4 7,b7 ,extermination4 7,c7 ,enslavement1 including sexual slavery4 7,d7 ,deportation or forcible transfer of population4 7,e7 ,imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberty in violation of fundamental rules of international law4 7,f7 ,torture4 7,g7 ,rape1 enforced prostitution1 forced pregnancy1 enforced sterilization1 or any other form of sexual violence of comparable gravity4 7,h7 ,persecution against any identifiable group or collectivity on political1 racial1 national1 ethnic1 cultural1 religious1 gender1 language1 social origin1 age1 disability1 health1 sexual orientation1 gender identity1 sex characteristics1 indigenous1 refugee1 statelessness1 or migration status1 or other grounds that are recognized as impermissible under international law4 7,i7 ,enforced disappearance of persons4 7,j7 ,the crime of apartheid4 7,k7 ,other inhumane acts of a similar character intentionally causing great suffering1 or serious injury to body or to mental or physical health1 including the excessive use of anti-riot materials including tear gas1 rubber bullets1 sound cannons1 and other nonlethal materials to disperse nonviolent protests4 7#b7 ,definitions ,in this subsection-- 7,a7 the term attack directed against any civilian population means a course of conduct involving the multiple commission of acts referred to in this subsection against any civilian population1 pursuant to or in furtherance of a state or organizational policy to commit such attack2 7,b7 the term extermination includes the intentional infliction of conditions of life1 inter alia the deprivation of access to food and medicine1 calculated to bring about the destruction of part of a population2 7,c7 the term enslavement includes-- 7i7 slavery1 which means the exercise of any or all of the powers attaching to the right of ownership over a person including but not limited to the exercise of powers of ownership over sexual autonomy or integrity2 7ii7 the slave trade1 which means all acts involved in the capture1 acquisition or disposal of a person with intent to reduce the person to slavery2 7iii7 all acts involved in the acquisition of a slave with a view to selling or exchanging the slave2 7iv7 all acts of disposal by sale or exchange of a slave acquired with a view to being sold or exchanged2 and 7v7 in general1 every act of trade or transport in slaves2 7,d7 the term deportation or forcible transfer of population means forced displacement of the persons concerned by expulsion or other coercive acts from the area in which they are lawfully present1 without grounds permitted under international law2 7,e7 the term torture-- 7i7 means the intentional infliction of severe pain or suffering1 whether physical or mental1 for such purposes as obtaining information or a confession1 punishment1 intimidation or coercion or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind2 but 7ii7 does not mean pain or suffering arising only from1 inherent in or incidental to1 lawful sanctions2 7,f7 the term forced pregnancy means the unlawful confinement of a person forcibly made pregnant1 with the intent of affecting the ethnic composition of any population or carrying out other grave violations of international law2 7,g7 the term persecution means the intentional and severe deprivation of fundamental rights contrary to international law by reason of the identity of the group or collectivity2 7,h7 the term crime of apartheid means an institutionalized regime of systematic oppression and domination by one racial1 ethnic1 or religious group over any other racial1 ethnic1 or religious group or groups and committed with the intention of maintaining that regime2 and 7,i7 the term enforced disappearance of persons means the arrest1 detention1 or abduction of persons by1 or with the authorization1 support1 or acquiescence of1 a state or a political organization1 followed by a refusal to acknowledge that deprivation of freedom or to give information on the fate or whereabouts of those persons1 with the intention of removing them from the protection of the law for a prolonged period of time4 7d7 ,war crimes ,any of the following acts against persons or property in an armed conflict1 whether the conflict is of an international or internal character3 7#a7 ,willful killing4 7#b7 ,torture or inhumane treatment1 including biological experiments4 7#c7 ,willfully causing great suffering1 or serious injury to body or health4 7#d7 ,extensive destruction and appropriation of property1 not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly4 7#e7 ,compelling a prisoner of war or other detainee to serve in the forces of a hostile power4 7#f7 ,willfully depriving a prisoner of war or other detainee of the rights of fair and regular trial4 7#g7 ,unlawful deportation or transfer or unlawful confinement4 7#h7 ,taking of hostages4 7#i7 ,intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population as such or against individual civilians not taking direct part in hostilities4 7#aj7 ,intentionally directing attacks against civilian objectives1 that is1 objectives which are not military objectives4 7#aa7 ,intentionally directing attacks against personnel1 installations1 material1 units1 or vehicles involved in a humanitarian assistance or peacekeeping mission in accordance with the ,charter of the ,united ,nations4 7#ab7 ,intentionally launching an attack in the knowledge that such attack will cause incidental loss of life or injury to civilians or damage to civilian objects1 or widespread1 long-term1 and severe damage to the natural environment which would be clearly excessive in relation to the concrete and direct overall military advantage anticipated4 7#ac7 ,attacking or bombarding1 by whatever means1 towns1 villages1 dwellings1 or buildings which are undefended and which are not military objectives4 7#ad7 ,killing or wounding a combatant who1 having laid down his arms or having no longer means of defense1 has surrendered at discretion4 7#ae7 ,making improper use of a flag of truce1 of the flag or of the military insignia and uniform of the enemy or of the ,united ,nations1 as well as of the distinctive emblems of the ,geneva ,conventions1 resulting in death or serious personal injury4 7#af7 ,the transfer1 directly or indirectly1 by an occupying power of parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies1 or the deportation or transfer of all or parts of the population of the occupied territory within or outside this territory4 7#ag7 ,intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion1 education1 art1 science or charitable purposes1 historic monuments1 hospitals1 and places where the sick and wounded are collected4 7#ah7 ,subjecting persons who are in the power of an adverse party to physical mutilation or to medical or scientific experiments of any kind which are neither justified by the medical1 dental1 or hospital treatment of the person concerned nor carried out in his or her interest1 and which cause death to or seriously endanger the health of such person or persons4 7#ai7 ,killing or wounding treacherously individuals belonging to the hostile nation or army4 7#bj7 ,declaring that no quarter will be given4 7#ba7 ,destroying or seizing the enemy's property unless such destruction or seizure be imperatively demanded by the necessities of war4 7#bb7 ,declaring abolished1 suspended1 or inadmissible in a court of law the rights and actions of the nationals of the hostile party4 7#bc7 ,compelling the nationals of the hostile party to take part in the operations of war directed against their own country1 even if they were in the belligerent's service before the commencement of the war4 7#bd7 ,pillaging a town or place4 7#be7 ,employing poison or poisoned weapons4 7#bf7 ,employing asphyxiating1 poisonous1 or other gases1 and all analogous liquids1 materials1 or devices4 7#bg7 ,employing bullets which expand or flatten easily in the human body1 such as bullets with a hard envelope which does not entirely cover the core or is pierced with incisions4 7#bh7 ,employing weapons1 projectiles1 and material and methods of warfare which are of a nature to cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering or which are inherently indiscriminate in violation of the international law of armed conflict4 7#bi7 ,committing outrages upon personal dignity1 in particular humiliating and degrading treatment4 7#cj7 ,committing rape1 enforced prostitution1 forced pregnancy1 as defined in subsection 7c71 enforced sterilization1 or any other form of sexual violence also constituting a grave breach of the ,geneva ,conventions4 7#ca7 ,committing slavery or the slave trade in all their forms4 7#cb7 ,utilizing the presence of a civilian or other protected person to render certain points1 areas1 or military forces immune from military operations4 7#cc7 ,intentionally directing attacks against buildings1 material1 medical units and transport1 and personnel using the distinctive emblems of the ,geneva ,conventions in conformity with international law4 7#cd7 ,intentionally using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare by depriving them of objects indispensable to their survival4 7#ce7 ,willfully impeding relief supplies as provided for under the ,geneva ,conventions4 7#cf7 ,conscripting or enlisting children under the age of #ah into the national armed forces or using them to participate actively in hostilities4 #ajb4 ,description of sanctions 7a7 ,in general ,the sanctions to be imposed with respect to the government of a foreign country under section #aja are the sanctions described in subsections 7b71 7c71 7d71 and 7e74 7b7 ,prohibition on security assistance 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,president may not-- 7,a7 provide any ,united ,states security assistance1 intelligence1 training1 equipment1 or services relating to maintenance1 testing1 or technical data1 to the government of the foreign country or any agent or instrumentality of such government2 or 7,b7 engage in any defense cooperation with the government of the foreign country or any agent or instrumentality of such government4 7#b7 ,exception ,the prohibition under this subsection shall not apply with respect to activities of the ,department of ,defense relating to the protection of ,united ,states diplomatic and consular posts or personnel or to the evacuation of ,united ,states citizens4 7c7 ,prohibition on arms sales ,the ,president may not sell1 transfer1 deliver1 license for export1 authorize the performance of any service relating to1 or otherwise make available any defense article1 defense service1 or design and construction service1 as such terms are defined for purposes of the ,arms ,export ,control ,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bgea et seq471 to the government of the foreign country or any agent or instrumentality of such government4 7d7 ,prohibition on commercial export of arms sales ,the ,president shall prohibit the issuance of licenses to export defense articles1 defense services1 and munitions items1 as such terms are defined for purposes of the ,arms ,export ,control ,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bgea et seq471 to the government of the foreign country or any agent or instrumentality of such government4 7e7 ,prohibition on law enforcement exchanges 7#a7 ,in general ,no ,federal law enforcement agency1 including any component of the intelligence community or the ,department of ,homeland ,security 7including the ,transportation ,security ,administration1 ,u4,s4 ,immigration and ,customs ,enforcement1 or the ,border ,patrol71 and no ,state or local law enforcement agency may engage in any exchange with any police1 military1 or security forces of the foreign country4 7#b7 ,definitions ,in this subsection-- 7,a7 the term exchange means any training1 or sharing of practices or technologies1 whether sponsored by a government or private entity2 and 7,b7 the term intelligence community has the meaning given the term in section #c of the ,national ,security ,act of #aidg 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #cjjc74 7#c7 ,rules of construction ,nothing in this subsection shall be construed-- 7,a7 to restrict the freedom of movement or freedom of expression of any individual2 or 7,b7 to restrict the transfer or removal of any prisoner as part of a ,united ,states law enforcement activity4 7f7 ,duty ,to inform ,if sanctions described in subsections 7b71 7c71 7d71 and 7e7 are imposed with respect to a foreign country under section #aja1 the ,president-- 7#a7 shall promptly inform the government of the foreign country of the basis for such action2 and 7#b7 shall1 to the maximum extent practicable1 assist the foreign government in taking effective measures to bring the foreign country into compliance as described in section #ajc4 #ajc4 ,termination ,the ,president shall terminate the sanctions imposed under this title with respect to a foreign country if the ,president certifies to ,congress the following3 7#a7 ,the foreign country is no longer committing any of the acts described in subsection 7b71 7c71 or 7d7 of section #aja4 7#b7 ,the foreign country has established tangible measures to ensure such acts are not committed in the future1 including providing for the following measures and using1 where appropriate1 a trauma-informed1 survivor-centered approach3 7,a7 ,criminal prosecutions of perpetrators and intellectual authors with internationally recognized due process standards4 7,b7 ,reparations to victims1 which may include monetary reparations1 symbolic reparations1 or other recompense provided with the intent of compensating the victims1 their families1 and their communities4 7,c7 ,structural1 legal1 and institutional reforms4 7,d7 ,truth-telling mechanisms1 which may include ,truth ,commissions1 community-based hearings1 declassification of appropriate materials1 or other public release of verifiable information related to the violation4 #ajd4 ,reports required 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ae days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter1 the ,president shall submit to ,congress a report on the implementation of this title4 7b7 ,matters ,to ,be included ,the report required by subsection 7a7 shall include the following3 7#a7 ,a list of all foreign countries with respect to which the ,president imposed sanctions under this title1 including explanations of the decision-making process to impose such sanctions4 7#b7 ,a list of all foreign countries with respect to which sanctions were recommended by the ,commission1 and with respect to which sanctions imposed under this title have terminated in accordance with section #ajc1 including explanations of the decision-making process to terminate such sanctions4 7#c7 ,a list of all foreign countries with respect to which the ,president considered terminating1 but did not terminate1 sanctions under this title in accordance with section #ajc1 including explanations of the decision-making process not to terminate such sanctions4 #aje4 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this title may be construed as congressional authorization for the use of military force against any foreign country or entity4 ,,ii ,united ,states ,commission on ,atrocity ,accountability and ,human ,rights #bja4 ,establishment and ,composition 7a7 ,in general ,there is established a commission to be known as the ,united ,states ,commission on ,atrocity ,accountability and ,human ,rights 7in this title referred to as the ,commission74 7b7 ,membership 7#a7 ,appointment ,the ,commission shall be composed of the following3 7,a7 ,the ,ambassador at ,large for ,war ,crimes1 who shall serve ex officio as a nonvoting member of the ,commission4 7,b7 ,nine other voting members1 who shall be ,united ,states citizens who are not being paid as officers or employees of the ,government of the ,united ,states1 and who shall be appointed as follows3 7i7 ,two members of the ,commission shall be appointed by the ,speaker of the ,house of the ,house of ,representatives4 7ii7 ,two members of the ,commission shall be appointed by the minority leader of the ,house of ,representatives4 7iii7 ,two members of the ,commission shall be appointed by the majority leader of the ,senate4 7iv7 ,two members of the ,commission shall be appointed by the minority leader of the ,senate4 7v7 ,one member of the ,commission shall be appointed by the ,president4 7#b7 ,selection 7,a7 ,in general ,members of the ,commission shall be selected from among distinguished individuals noted for their knowledge and experience in fields relevant to the issue of human rights1 atrocity prevention1 global criminal justice1 and international humanitarian law4 7,b7 ,security clearances ,each member of the ,commission shall be required to obtain a security clearance4 7#c7 ,time of appointment ,the appointments required by paragraph 7#a7 shall be made not later than #abj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7#d7 ,security clearances ,the appropriate ,federal agencies shall cooperate with the ,commission in expeditiously providing to members of the ,commission and staff appropriate security clearances to the extent necessary and pursuant to existing procedures and requirements4 7c7 ,terms 7#a7 ,in general ,the term of office of each member of the ,commission shall be two years4 ,an individual may not serve more than two terms as a member of the ,commission4 ,for any individual serving as a member of the ,commission for two such terms1 such member's term shall expire #ij days after the last day of the second term as a member of the ,commission4 ,a member of the ,commission may not serve after the expiration of that member's term4 7#b7 ,ineligibility for reappointment ,if a member of the ,commission attends1 by being physically present or by conference call1 less than #ge percent of the meetings of the ,commission during one of that member's terms on the ,commission1 the member shall not be eligible for reappointment to the ,commission4 7d7 ,election of chair 7#a7 ,in general ,at the first meeting of the ,commission after ,january #a of each calendar year1 a majority of the members of the ,commission present and voting shall elect the ,chair of the ,commission from among the members of the ,commission to serve a term for the remainder of that calendar year4 7#b7 ,limitation ,a member of the ,commission elected as ,chair of the ,commission may serve more than one term as ,chair but any such terms may not be consecutive terms4 7e7 ,quorum ,six voting members of the ,commission shall constitute a quorum for purposes of transacting business of the ,commission4 7f7 ,meetings 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ae days after the date on which after the annual ,country ,reports on ,human ,rights ,practices is submitted to ,congress1 or as soon as practicable thereafter1 the ,commission shall convene for purposes of transacting business of the ,commission4 7#b7 ,other meetings ,the ,commission shall otherwise meet at the call of the ,chair or1 if no ,chair has been elected for that calendar year1 at the call of six voting members of the ,commission4 7g7 ,vacancies ,any vacancy of the ,commission shall not affect its powers1 but shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made4 ,a member may serve after the expiration of that member's term until a successor has taken office4 ,any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term4 7h7 ,administrative support ,the ,administrator of ,general ,services shall provide to the ,commission on a reimbursable basis 7or1 in the discretion of the ,administrator1 on a nonreimbursable basis7 such administrative support services as the ,commission may request to carry out the provisions of this title4 7i7 ,funding 7#a7 ,in general ,members of the ,commission shall be allowed travel expenses1 including per diem in lieu of subsistence at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter ,i of chapter #eg of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the ,commission4 7#b7 ,travel requirements ,members of the ,commission are subject to the requirements set forth in chapters #cjj through #cjd of title #da1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7commonly known as the ,federal ,travel ,regulation71 and the ,department of ,state ,standardized ,regulations governing authorized travel at government expense1 including regulations concerning the mode of travel1 lodging and per diem expenditures1 reimbursement payments1 and expense reporting and documentation requirements4 #bjb4 ,duties 7a7 ,in general ,the ,commission shall have as its primary responsibility-- 7#a7 review of facts and circumstances of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law contained in the annual ,country ,reports on ,human ,rights ,practices1 including other relevant sources2 and 7#b7 making of policy recommendations to the ,president1 the ,secretary of ,state1 and ,congress with respect to the imposition and termination of sanctions under title ,i4 7b7 ,monitoring ,the ,commission shall1 on an ongoing basis-- 7#a7 monitor facts and circumstances of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law1 in consultation with independent human rights groups1 humanitarian groups1 and nongovernmental organizations1 including those groups and organizations providing direct services2 7#b7 gather human rights documentation and evidence supplied by community-based human rights monitors2 and 7#c7 make such recommendations as may be necessary to the appropriate officials and offices in the ,united ,states ,government4 #bjc4 ,powers 7a7 ,hearings and sessions 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,commission may1 for the purpose of carrying out its duties under this title1 hold hearings1 sit and act at times and places in the ,united ,states1 take testimony1 and receive evidence as the ,commission considers advisable to carry out the purposes of this title4 7#b7 ,classified hearings ,the ,commission may hold hearings in classified settings4 ,if the ,commission holds a hearing in a classified setting1 the ,commission shall publish a summary of the hearing and the summary available to the public4 7b7 ,information from federal agencies 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,commission may secure directly from any ,federal department or agency such information as the ,commission considers necessary to carry out this title4 ,upon request of the ,chair of the ,commission1 the head of such department or agency shall furnish such information expeditiously to the ,commission1 subject to applicable law4 ,such information may be provided in classified form1 or with a classified annex4 7#b7 ,notification ,if a ,federal agency does not furnish information described in paragraph 7#a7 expeditiously to the ,commission1 the ,chair of the ,commission shall notify the committees of ,congress of jurisdiction and appropriate investigative authorities4 7c7 ,postal services ,the ,commission may use the ,united ,states mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other ,federal departments and agencies4 7d7 ,administrative procedures ,the ,commission may adopt such rules and regulations1 relating to administrative procedure1 as may be reasonably necessary to enable it to carry out the provisions of this title4 7e7 ,views of the commission ,the members of the ,commission may speak in their capacity as private citizens4 ,statements on behalf of the ,commission shall be issued in writing over the names of the members4 ,the ,commission shall in its written statements clearly describe its statutory authority1 distinguishing that authority from that of appointed or elected officials of the ,united ,states ,government4 ,oral statements1 where practicable1 shall include a similar description4 7f7 ,travel 7#a7 ,in general ,members of the ,commission may1 with the approval of the ,commission1 conduct such travel as is necessary to carry out the purpose of this title4 7#b7 ,approval ,each trip of a member of the ,commission1 other than the member described in section #bja7;b77#a77;,a71 shall be approved by a majority of the members of the ,commission4 #bjd4 ,matters relating to personnel 7a7 ,in general ,the ,commission may1 without regard to the civil service laws and regulations1 appoint and terminate an ,executive ,director and such other additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the ,commission to perform its duties4 ,the decision to employ or terminate an ,executive ,director shall be made by an affirmative vote of at least six of the nine voting members of the ,commission4 7b7 ,compensation ,the ,commission may fix the compensation of the ,executive ,director and other personnel without regard to the provisions of chapter #ea and subchapter ,,iii of chapter #ec of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 relating to classification of positions and ,general ,schedule pay rates1 except that the rate of pay for the ,executive ,director and other personnel may not exceed the rate payable for level ,v of the ,executive ,schedule under section #ecaf of such title4 7c7 ,professional staff ,the ,commission and the ,executive ,director shall hire ,commission staff on the basis of professional and nonpartisan qualifications4 ,members of the ,commission may not individually hire staff of the ,commission4 ,staff shall serve the ,commission as a whole and may not be assigned to the particular service of a single member of the ,commission or a specified group of such members4 ,this subsection does not prohibit staff personnel from assisting individual members of the ,commission with particular needs related to their duties4 7d7 ,staff and services of other federal agencies 7#a7 ,department of state ,the ,secretary of ,state shall assist the ,commission by providing on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis to the ,commission such staff and administrative services as may be necessary and appropriate to perform its functions4 7#b7 ,other federal agencies ,upon the request of the ,commission1 the head of any ,federal department or agency may detail1 on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis1 any of the personnel of that department or agency to the ,commission to assist it in carrying out its functions under this title4 ,the detail of any such personnel shall be without interruption or loss of civil service or ,foreign ,service status or privilege4 7e7 ,security clearances ,the ,executive ,director shall be required to obtain a security clearance4 ,the ,executive ,director may request1 on a needs-only basis and in order to perform the duties of the ,commission1 that other personnel of the ,commission be required to obtain a security clearance4 ,the level of clearance shall be the lowest necessary to appropriately perform the duties of the ,commission4 7f7 ,cost ,the ,commission shall reimburse all appropriate ,federal agencies for the cost of obtaining clearances for members of the ,commission1 for the ,executive ,director1 and for any other personnel4 7g7 ,application of antidiscrimination laws ,for purposes of providing remedies and procedures to address alleged violations of rights and protections that pertain to employment discrimination1 family and medical leave1 fair labor standards1 employee polygraph protection1 worker adjustment and retraining1 veterans' employment and reemployment1 intimidation or reprisal1 protections under the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abaja et seq471 occupational safety and health1 labor-management relations1 and rights and protections that apply to employees whose pay is disbursed by the ,secretary of the ,senate or the ,chief ,administrative ,officer of the ,house of ,representatives1 all employees of the ,commission shall be treated as employees whose pay is disbursed by the ,secretary of the ,senate or the ,chief ,administrative ,officer of the ,house of ,representatives1 as the case may be1 and the ,commission shall be treated as an employing office of the ,senate or the ,house of ,representatives4 #bje4 ,report 7a7 ,in general ,not later than ,december #ca of each calendar year1 the ,commission shall submit to the ,president1 the ,secretary of ,state1 and ,congress a report that contains1 with respect to such calendar year-- 7#a7 its policy recommendations described in paragraph 7#b7 of section #bjb7;a7 based on its review under paragraph 7#a7 of such section1 including-- 7,a7 a public summary of recommendations and list of the countries with respect to which the ,commission recommends imposing or terminating sanctions under title ,i2 and 7,b7 a rationale for imposing or terminating such sanctions2 and 7#b7 its monitoring activities under section #bjb7;b71 including a list of its sources1 a list of organizations and individuals consulted1 and a summary of its findings4 7b7 ,form ,the report required by subsection 7a7 shall be submitted in unclassified form1 but may contain a classified annex4 7c7 ,individual or dissenting views ,each member of the ,commission may include the individual or dissenting views of the member4 7d7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this section may be construed to preclude the ,commission from issuing additional reports and recommendations to address urgent situations4 #bjf4 ,applicability of ,other ,laws ,the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app47 shall not apply to the ,commission4 #bjg4 ,standards of ,conduct and ,disclosure 7a7 ,cooperation with nongovernmental organizations1 the department of state1 and congress ,the ,commission shall1 in the performance of its duties under this title1 seek to effectively and freely cooperate with all governmental and nongovernmental entities engaged in the promotion of human rights and religious freedom abroad4 7b7 ,conflict of interest and antinepotism 7#a7 ,member affiliations ,except as provided in paragraph 7#c71 in order to ensure the independence and integrity of the ,commission1 the ,commission may not compensate any nongovernmental agency1 project1 or person related to or affiliated with any member of the ,commission1 whether in that member's direct employ or not4 ,staff employed by the ,commission may not serve in the employ of any nongovernmental agency1 project1 or person related to or affiliated with any member of the ,commission while employed by the ,commission4 7#b7 ,staff compensation ,staff of the ,commission may not receive compensation from any other source for work performed in carrying out the duties of the ,commission while employed by the ,commission4 7#c7 ,exception 7,a7 ,in general ,subject to subparagraph 7,b71 paragraph 7#a7 shall not apply to payments made for items such as conference fees or the purchase of periodicals or other similar expenses1 if such payments would not cause the aggregate value paid to any agency1 project1 or person for a fiscal year to exceed #bej4 7,b7 ,limitation ,notwithstanding subparagraph 7,a71 the ,commission shall not give special preference to any agency1 project1 or person related to or affiliated with any member of the ,commission4 7#d7 ,definitions ,in this subsection1 the term affiliated means the relationship between a member of the ,commission and-- 7,a7 an individual who holds the position of officer1 trustee1 partner1 director1 or employee of an agency1 project1 or person of which that member1 or relative of that member1 of the ,commission is an officer1 trustee1 partner1 director1 or employee2 or 7,b7 a nongovernmental agency or project of which that member1 or a relative of that member1 of the ,commission is an officer1 trustee1 partner1 director1 or employee4 7c7 ,contract authority ,subject to the availability of appropriations1 the ,commission may contract with and compensate ,federal agencies or persons for the conduct of activities necessary to the discharge of its duties under this title4 ,any such person shall be hired without interruption or loss of civil service or ,foreign ,service status or privilege4 7d7 ,gifts 7#a7 ,in general ,in order to preserve its independence1 the ,commission may not accept1 use1 or dispose of gifts or donations of services or property4 ,an individual ,commissioner or employee of the ,commission may not1 in his or her capacity as a ,commissioner or employee1 knowingly accept1 use1 or dispose of gifts or donations of services or property1 unless he or she in good faith believes such gifts or donations to have a value of less than #ej and a cumulative value during a calendar year of less than #ajj4 7#b7 ,exceptions ,this subsection shall not apply to the following3 7,a7 ,gifts provided on the basis of a personal friendship with a ,commissioner or employee1 unless the ,commissioner or employee has reason to believe that the gift was provided because of the ,commissioner's position and not because of the personal friendship4 7,b7 ,gifts provided on the basis of a family relationship4 7,c7 ,the acceptance of training1 invitations to attend or participate in conferences1 or such other events as are related to the conduct of the duties of the ,commission1 or food or refreshment associated with such activities4 7,d7 ,items of nominal value or gifts of estimated value of #aj or less4 7,e7 ,gifts provided by a foreign leader or state which would create offense or embarrassment to the ,united ,states ,government if refused1 shall be accepted and turned over to the ,united ,states ,government in accordance with the ,foreign ,gifts and ,decorations ,act of #aiff4 7,f7 ,informational materials such as documents1 books1 videotapes1 periodicals1 or other forms of communications4 7,g7 ,goods or services provided by any agency or component of the ,government of the ,united ,states1 including any commission established under the authority of such ,government4 7e7 ,annual financial report ,in addition to providing the reports required under section #bje1 the ,commission shall1 not later than ,january #a of each year1 submit to the ,committees on ,foreign ,affairs and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives and to the ,committees on ,foreign ,relations and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate a financial report detailing and identifying the expenditures of the ,commission for the preceding fiscal year4