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H.R.2539 / 105th Congress

To prohibit the use of United States funds to provide for the participation of certain Chinese officials in international conferences, exchanges, programs, and activities, and for other purposes.

Referred to the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Sep 24, 1997

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Prohibition on Use of Funds for the Participation of Certain Chinese Officials in Conferences, Exchanges, Programs, and Activities Title II: Authorization of Appropriations for Increased Funding for Radio Free Asia and Voice of America Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions Title I: Prohibition on Use of Funds for the Participation of Certain Chinese Officials in Conferences, Exchanges, Programs, and Activities - Prohibits certain U.S. agencies from funding the travel and per diem expenses of certain nationals of the People's Republic of China for participation in conferences, exchanges, programs, and activities. Title II: Authorization of Appropriations for Increased Funding for Radio Free Asia and Voice of America - Authorizes appropriations for International Broadcasting Activities for FY 1998 and 1999 in addition to sums previously authorized. Details allocation of such additional appropriations for Radio Free Asia. Instructs the Director of the United States Information Agency and the Board of Broadcasting Governors to seek to ensure that funds made available for broadcasting to nations whose people do not fully enjoy freedom of expression do not decline in proportion to amounts made available for broadcasting to other nations. (Sec. 202) Directs the President to report to the Congress on a plan to achieve continuous broadcasting of Radio Free Asia and Voice of America in multiple major dialects and languages to the People's Republic of China. (Sec. 203) Reduces authorization of appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for Migration and Refugee Assistance. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 to support personnel in the United States Embassy in Beijing as well as in selected American consulates to monitor political repression in the People's Republic of China. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should make freedom of religion one of the major objectives of U.S. foreign policy with respect to China; (2) the Department of State should raise the issue of individuals imprisoned or otherwise harassed by the Chinese Government on religious grounds and request a complete and timely response from the Chinese Government regarding the individuals' whereabouts and condition, the charges against them, and the sentence imposed; and (3) the goal of official communications should be the expeditious release of all religious prisoners in China and the end of religious harassment and repression.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Bereuter, Doug [R-NE-1] · R–NE

Committees

  • Foreign Affairs Committee
0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

    Actions

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    1. Referred to the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights.

    2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

    3. Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.

    4. Introduced in House

    5. Introduced in House

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    Source last updated: Jan 23, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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