PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 110-286.
Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Jul 22, 2008
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on July 15, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE (Junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act of 2008 - (Sec. 4) States that it is U.S. policy to: (1) condemn the repression carried out by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) of Burma; (2) support a peaceful transition to constitutional democracy in Burma; (3) support international efforts to alleviate the suffering of Burmese refugees and address the urgent humanitarian needs of the Burmese people; and (4) hold accountable individuals responsible for the repression of peaceful political activity in Burma.
(Sec. 5) Subjects the following persons to a U.S. entry visa prohibition and financial sanctions (blocked property, financial transaction prohibitions, prohibited activities, and banking sanctions), including: (1) former and present leaders of the SPDC, the Burmese military, or the Union Solidarity Development Association (USDA); (2) officials of the SPDC, the Burmese military, or the USDA involved in political repression in Burma or other gross violations of human rights abuses; (3) other Burmese SPDC, Burmese military, and USDA supporters; and (4) immediate family members of any such persons.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Directs the President to submit to Congress a list of such sanctioned persons.
Exempts medical and humanitarian assistance and certain financial transactions from such restrictions. Authorizes additional waivers for diplomatic, official U.S. Government, and travel purposes. Subjects persons who violate such prohibitions to certain civil and criminal penalties.
Terminates such sanctions upon a presidential certification to Congress that the SPDC has: (1) unconditionally released all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of the National League for Democracy (NLD); (2) entered into a dialogue with democratic forces led by the NLD and the ethnic minorities of Burma on transitioning to democratic government; and (3) allowed humanitarian access to populations affected by armed conflict in all regions of Burma.
Authorizes the President to waive such sanctions if it is in the national interests of the United States.
(Sec. 6) Amends the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 (BFDA) to prohibit the importation into the United States of jadeite and rubies, including jewelry containing such articles (covered articles) from Burma until the President certifies to Congress that Burma has met certain conditions concerning human rights and democratic reforms and has implemented certain counternarcotics measures.
Directs the President to require certain conditions for the importation into the United States of such articles from other countries (non-Burmese covered articles) in order to prevent trade in Burmese covered articles. Subjects Burmese covered articles and non-Burmese covered articles that are imported into the United States to seizure and forfeiture and to U.S. criminal and civil laws.
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should take the necessary steps to negotiate an international arrangement (similar to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for conflict diamonds) to prevent the trade in Burmese covered articles.
Requires the President to report to Congress on what U.S. actions have been taken to seek: (1) the issuance of a draft waiver decision by the Council for Trade in Goods of the World Trade Organization (WTO) granting the United States a waiver under the WTO with respect to the provisions of this Act; (2) the adoption of a United Nations (U.N.) resolution calling for the creation and implementation of a certification scheme for non-Burmese covered articles to prevent trade in Burmese covered articles; and (3) the negotiation of an international arrangement to prevent the trade in Burmese covered articles. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the effectiveness of this Act.
Extends import sanctions upon enactment of a renewal resolution by Congress.
(Sec. 7) Directs the President to appoint a Special Representative and Policy Coordinator for Burma.
(Sec. 8) Authorizes the President to assist nonviolent democracy activists in their efforts to promote freedom, democracy, and human rights in Burma. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008.
(Sec. 9) Declares the sense of Congress that the international community should increase support for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) attempting to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of the Burmese people.
Amends the BFDA to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to issue multi-year licenses for humanitarian or religious activities in Burma. Authorizes appropriations, with a limitation, for FY2008.
(Sec. 10) Directs the Secretary of State to report to Congress on countries, companies, and other entities that provide military or intelligence aid to the SPDC.
(Sec. 11) Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should lead UN Security Council efforts to impose an international arms embargo on Burma.
(Sec. 12) Directs the Secretary of State to report annually to Congress on Burma's timber trade, including recommendations on alternative imports to Burmese hardwoods.
(Sec. 13) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to Congress on all countries and foreign banking institutions that hold assets on behalf of senior Burmese officials.
(Sec. 14) Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should work with the Royal Thai Government to ensure the safety of the 15 plaintiffs in the Doe v. Unocal case. Urges the United States to grant plaintiffs refugee status or humanitarian parole to enter the United States.
(Sec. 15) Urges: (1) U.S., French, and Thai investors to voluntarily divest in the Burmese Yadana gas pipeline project if the Burmese Government fails to take steps to release political prisoners, restore civilian constitutional rule, and promote national reconciliation; and (2) Yadana investors that remain invested in Burma to communicate certain criticisms to the Burmese government, disclose transparently their role in Burmese investment, and work with project partners to ensure forced labor is not used on the project.
People & committees
Rep. Lantos, Tom [D-CA-12] · 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: 110-286.
Became Public Law No: 110-286.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Cleared for White House.
Senate agreed to the House amendments (substitute and title) by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7079-7084; text as Senate agreed to House amendment: CR S7079-7084)
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendments (substitute and title) by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S7079-7084; text as Senate agreed to House amendment: CR S7079-7084)
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendments to Senate amendments.
The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 3890. (consideration: CR H6599)
House agreed to Senate amendments with amendments pursuant to H.Res. 1341. (consideration: CR H6520)
Resolving differences -- House actions: House agreed to Senate amendments with amendments pursuant to H.Res. 1341.(consideration: CR H6520)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S15971)
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent.
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 voice vote. (text: CR H15234-15237)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H15234-15237)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3890.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H15234-15239)
Mr. Meeks (NY) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 12, 2007.
House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 7, 2007.
House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Nov. 16, 2007.
Committee on Judiciary discharged.
Committee on Judiciary discharged.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Foreign Affairs. H. Rept. 110-418, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Foreign Affairs. H. Rept. 110-418, Part I.
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and the Judiciary, 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 Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and the Judiciary, 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 Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and the Judiciary, 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 Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and the Judiciary, 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
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. 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.3890 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.3890 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.3890 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.3890 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.