PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 104-319.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Sep 5, 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Foreign Relations Provisions Title II: Foreign Assistance Provisions Human Rights Restoration Act of 1996 - Title I: Foreign Relations Provisions - Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 to revise provisions authorizing the charging of fees for processing machine readable nonimmigrant visas and machine readable combined border crossing identification cards and nonimmigrant visas. Changes the use of such fees, for FY 1996 and 1997, from recovering the costs of consular services to recovering the costs of the Department of State's border security program. Repeals the prohibition against charging such fees to a citizen of a country signatory to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). (Sec. 102) Directs the President to report semiannually to the appropriate congressional committees on: (1) methods employed by Cuba to enforce the United States-Cuba agreement of September 1994 to restrict Cuban immigration to the United States; and (2) the treatment of such people by Cuba who have returned there pursuant to the United States-Cuba agreement of 1995. (Sec. 103) Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1990 to extend through FY 1997 the special allocation of 1,000 admissions into the United States per year of refugees from the independent states of the former Soviet Union, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania who have been persecuted for participation in the Ukrainian Catholic or Orthodox churches. Extends through FY 1997 the period for specified aliens from the former Soviet Union, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia to be paroled into the United States after denial of refugee status for purposes of qualifying for adjustment of status to permanent resident. (Sec. 104) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise the definition of "refugee" to declare that a person who has been forced to have an abortion or undergo involuntary sterilization, or who has been persecuted for refusing to do so, or for other resistance to a coercive population control program, shall be deemed to have been persecuted on account of political opinion. States that anyone with a well-founded fear that he or she will be forced to undergo such a procedure, or be subjected to persecution for such failure, refusal, or resistance, shall be deemed to have a well-founded fear of persecution on account of political opinion. (Sec. 105) Requires the Director of the United States Information Agency (USIA) to take steps to provide opportunities for participation in educational and cultural exchange programs to human rights and democracy leaders of countries whose people do not enjoy freedom and democracy, including but not limited to China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Tibet, and Burma. (Sec. 106) Directs the USIA Director to establish educational and cultural exchange programs between the United States and Tibet. Specifies the number of scholarships to be made available during FY 1997 to Tibetan and Burmese students and professionals who are outside their respective countries. (Sec. 107) Amends Federal law to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to make improvements to the Rio Grande Canalization Project, especially in the reach between the Percha Diversion Dam in New Mexico and the American Diversion Dam in El Paso, Texas. Title II: Foreign Assistance Provisions - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require a certain human rights report to include: (1) the votes of each member of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights on all country-specific and thematic resolutions voted on at the Commission's annual session; and (2) the extent to which each country has extended protection to refugees, including the provision of first asylum and resettlement. (Sec. 202) Prohibits the President from providing economic or military assistance or arms transfers to the Government of Mauritania unless he certifies to the Congress that such government has taken action to eliminate chattel slavery, including the enactment and enforcement of anti-slavery laws that provide appropriate punishment for violators.
People & committees
Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] · R–NJ
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 104-319.
Became Public Law No: 104-319.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H12281-12283)
Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to without objection.(consideration: CR H12281-12283)
Mr. Smith (NJ) asked unanimous consent that the House agree to the Senate amendments.
Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.
Amendment SP 5439 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Amendment SP 5439 proposed by Senator Lott for Senator Jeffords.
Amendment SP 5438 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Amendment SP 5438 proposed by Senator Lott for Senator Kassebaum.
Amendment SP 5437 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Amendment SP 5437 proposed by Senator Lott for Senator Ford.
Amendment SP 5436 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Amendment SP 5436 proposed by Senator Lott for Senator Kerry.
Amendment SP 5435 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Amendment SP 5435 proposed by Senator Lott for Senator Pell.
Measure laid before Senate. (consideration: CR S12408-12409)
Received in the Senate, read twice.
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.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H11126-11129)
Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims.
Committee Agreed to Seek Consideration Under Suspension of the Rules, (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Executive Comment Requested from State.
Referred to the Committee on International Relations, 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 International Relations, 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 International Relations, 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.
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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