PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Congressional Research Service
Version 36 · Passed House amended · Jul 31, 2007
Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007 - (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to ensure the publication every six months in the Federal Register of a list of all persons (as defined by this Act) who have a direct investment in or are conducting business operations in Sudan's power production, mineral extraction, oil-related, or military equipment industries. Sets forth excluded business operations, including operations with: (1) the regional government of southern Sudan; (2) maginalized populations of Sudan; and (3) peacekeeping or humanitarian organizations.
(Sec. 4) States that it is U.S. policy to support state and local efforts to divest funds from, or restrict investments in, companies that conduct business operations in Sudan.
Authorizes state or local government divestment in such companies.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
(Sec. 5) Expresses the sense of Congress that a divestment measure authorized or a measure to prohibit state or local contracts would not violate the United States Constitution because such a measure: (1) is not pre-empted under the Supremacy Clause; (2) is authorized by the Congress as an appropriate measure with regard to interstate or foreign commerce; and (3) is authorized by the Congress as a measure that promotes U.S. foreign policy.
(Sec. 6) Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to provide a safe harbor from civil, criminal, or administrative action for a registered investment company and its officials and employees based upon the investment company's divesting from or not investing in a company that is on the list as provided for under section 3 this Act.
(Sec. 7) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide a safe harbor for employee benefit plan employees based upon the plan's divesting from or not investing in a company that is on such list.
(Sec. 8) Prohibits the U.S. government from contracting or renewing a contract for goods or services with a company that is on such list. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition for national security reasons.
(Sec. 9) States that it is U.S. policy to support any state or local government decision to prohibit state or local government contracting for goods or services with a company that is on such list.
Authorizes a state or local government to prohibit such contracts.
(Sec. 10) Defines specified terms.
(Sec. 11) Expresses the sense of Congress that other governments should adopt measures similar to those contained in this Act to publicize the activities of persons and entities whose financial dealings enable the government of Sudan to commit genocide against people in the Darfur region and other regions of Sudan, and to authorize divestment from, and the avoidance of further investment in, such persons and entities.
(Sec. 12) Sets forth the conditions under which this Act shall terminate.
People & committees
Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-9] · D–CA
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Received in the Senate.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 418 - 1 (Roll no. 764). (text: CR H8843-8846)
House roll call 764 · Individual votesMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 418 - 1 (Roll no. 764).(text: CR H8843-8846)
House roll call 764 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H9210-9211)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 180.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR 7/31/2007 H8843-8855)
Mr. Frank (MA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H8623)
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises.
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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