PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 111-166.
Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · May 17, 2010
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on December 16, 2009. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act of 2009 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to expand the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices to include: (1) a description of the status of freedom of the press in each country reviewed in the report; (2) identification of countries in which there were violations of freedom of the press; and (3) in countries where there are particularly severe violations of freedom of the press, whether such governments participate in or condone such violations and the actions such governments have taken to preserve the safety and independence of the media and ensure the prosecution of individuals who attack or murder journalists.
People & committees
Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-29] · D–CA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 111-166.
Became Public Law No: 111-166.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Cleared for White House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2981)
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S2981)
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 403 - 12 (Roll no. 989). (text: CR 12/15/2009 H14916-14917)
House roll call 989 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 403 - 12 (Roll no. 989).(text: CR 12/15/2009 H14916-14917)
House roll call 989 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H15431)
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Berman objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3714.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H14916-14921)
Mr. Berman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Jan 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.R.3714 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.3714 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.3714 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.3714 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.