PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 115-300.
Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Dec 11, 2018
Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2018
This bill authorizes U.S. government agencies to provide humanitarian, stabilization, and recovery assistance for nationals and residents of Iraq and Syria, in particular ethnic and minority individuals at risk of persecution or war crimes. It also authorizes the agencies to assist in prosecuting those suspected of such crimes.
(Sec. 5) The Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) may provide financial and technical assistance to support entities, including nongovernmental organizations with expertise in international criminal investigations and law, to address crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Iraq. The assistance includes:
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
conducting criminal investigations,
developing indigenous investigative and judicial skills to adjudicate cases consistent with due process and respect for the rule of law, and
collecting and preserving evidence for use in prosecutions.
The State Department shall encourage foreign governments to identify and prosecute ISIS members suspected of committing such crimes.
(Sec. 6) The State Department shall identify:
threats of persecution, crimes against humanity, and war crimes against Iraqi or Syrian minority religious or ethnic groups;
such groups that are at risk of forced migration and the primary reasons for such risk;
humanitarian, stabilization, and recovery needs of these individuals; and
entities, including faith-based entities, that are providing such assistance and the extent of U.S. assistance to or through such entities.
The State Department and USAID may support entities that are providing aid to the vulnerable groups.
(Sec. 7) The State Department shall report to Congress its efforts to implement this bill, as well as an assessment of the feasibility and advisability of prosecuting ISIS members.
People & committees
Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] · R–NJ
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 115-300.
Became Public Law No: 115-300.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by voice vote. (text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H9600-9601)
Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by voice vote.(text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H9600-9601)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 390.
Mr. Smith (NJ) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments. (consideration: CR H9600-9604)
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.
The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6876-6879)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 227.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
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 H4632-4633)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H4632-4633)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 390.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4632-4638)
Mr. Royce (CA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on 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 Committee on 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.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E40)
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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Analyze H.R.390 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.
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