Block Burmese JADE (Junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act of 2007

To impose sanctions on officials of the State Peace and Development Council in Burma, to amend the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 to exempt humanitarian assistance from United States sanctions on Burma, to prohibit the importation of gemstones from Burma, or that originate in Burma, to promote a coordinated international effort to restore civilian democratic rule to Burma, and for other purposes.

7/22/2008--Public Law. (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. 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.


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Sponsor

• Tom Lantos
• and 40 Co-Sponsors
  • Rep. Gary Ackerman [D, NY-5]
  • Rep. Earl Blumenauer [D, OR-3]
  • Rep. Madeleine Bordallo [D, GU-0]
  • Rep. Dan Burton [R, IN-5]
  • Rep. Michael Capuano [D, MA-8]
  • Rep. Joseph Crowley [D, NY-7]
  • Rep. Susan Davis [D, CA-53]
  • Rep. Peter DeFazio [D, OR-4]
  • Rep. William Delahunt [D, MA-10]
  • Rep. Rosa DeLauro [D, CT-3]
  • Rep. Lloyd Doggett [D, TX-25]
  • Rep. Eliot Engel [D, NY-17]
  • Rep. Anna Eshoo [D, CA-14]
  • Rep. Barney Frank [D, MA-4]
  • Rep. Raul Grijalva [D, AZ-7]
  • Rep. Rush Holt [D, NJ-12]
  • Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee [D, TX-18]
  • Rep. Patrick Kennedy [D, RI-1]
  • Rep. Peter King [R, NY-3]
  • Rep. James Langevin [D, RI-2]
  • Rep. Carolyn Maloney [D, NY-14]
  • Rep. Thaddeus McCotter [R, MI-11]
  • Rep. James McGovern [D, MA-3]
  • Rep. George Miller [D, CA-7]
  • Rep. James Moran [D, VA-8]
  • Rep. John Olver [D, MA-1]
  • Rep. Joseph Pitts [R, PA-16]
  • Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen [R, FL-18]
  • Rep. Janice Schakowsky [D, IL-9]
  • Rep. Brad Sherman [D, CA-27]
  • Rep. Christopher Smith [R, NJ-4]
  • Rep. Mark Souder [R, IN-3]
  • Rep. Ellen Tauscher [D, CA-10]
  • Rep. Christopher Van Hollen [D, MD-8]
  • Rep. Zach Wamp [R, TN-3]
  • Rep. Maxine Waters [D, CA-35]
  • Rep. Peter Welch [D, VT-0]
  • Rep. Frank Wolf [R, VA-10]
  • Rep. Lynn Woolsey [D, CA-6]
  • Rep. David Wu [D, OR-1]
  close

Committees

• House Judiciary
• 3 more
  • House Ways and Means
  • Senate Foreign Relations
  • House Foreign Affairs
  close

Amendments

This bill has 2 amendments. See All AmendmentsHide All Amendments

Amendments to H.R.3890

Number	Status	Purpose
S.Amdt.3888	Pass	In the nature of a substitute.
S.Amdt.3889	Pass	To amend the title.

Bill Status

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Introduced		Voted on by House		Voted on by Senate		Considered By President		This Bill Has Become Law
October 18, 2007		December 11, 2007		December 19, 2007		July 29, 2008		July 29, 2008

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All Bill Actions

• Enacted on Jul 29, 2008. Became Public Law No: 110-286.
• Signed on Jul 29, 2008.
• Jul 25, 2008. Presented to President.
• Signed on Jul 25, 2008.
• Jul 23, 2008: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
• Jul 22, 2008. Cleared for White House.
• Jul 22, 2008: Senate agreed to the House amendments (substitute and title) by Unanimous Consent.
• Jul 17, 2008: Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendments to Senate amendments.
• Jul 16, 2008: 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.
• Jul 15, 2008: House agreed to Senate amendments with amendments pursuant to H.Res. 1341.
• Dec 19, 2007: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
• Passed by Unanimous Consent in the Senate on Dec 19, 2007. Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.
• Dec 19, 2007: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
• Dec 19, 2007: Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent.
• Dec 12, 2007: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
• Dec 11, 2007: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
• Passed by voice vote in the House on Dec 11, 2007. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
• Dec 11, 2007: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3890.
• Dec 11, 2007: Considered under suspension of the rules.
• Dec 11, 2007: Mr. Meeks (NY) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
• Dec 07, 2007: House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 12, 2007.
• Nov 15, 2007: House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 7, 2007.
• Oct 31, 2007: House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Nov. 16, 2007.
• Oct 31, 2007: Committee on Judiciary discharged.
• Oct 31, 2007: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Foreign Affairs. H. Rept. 110-418, Part I.
• Added to calendar on Oct 23, 2007: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent..
• Oct 23, 2007: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
• Oct 18, 2007: Referred to House Judiciary
• Oct 18, 2007: Referred to House Ways and Means
• Oct 18, 2007: Referred to House Foreign Affairs
• Oct 18, 2007: 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 on Oct 18, 2007.

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Related Bills:

• S.2172
• S.2257
• H.Res.1341

Related Issue Areas:

• Foreign policy
• Advice and consent of the Senate
• Alien property
• Armed forces
• 42 more
• Arms sales
• Burma
• Civil liberties
• Congress
• Congress and foreign policy
• Congressional oversight
• Congressional reporting requirements
• Democracy
• Diplomats
• Dissenters
• East Asia
• Embargo
• Ethnic groups
• Foreign aid
• Foreign banks and banking
• Foreign leaders
• Human rights
• Immigration
• Import restrictions
• International affairs
• International finance
• Law
• Licenses
• Lumber trade
• Military assistance
• Minorities
• Natural resources
• Nongovernmental organizations
• Political parties
• Political persecution
• Political prisoners
• Politics and government
• President and foreign policy
• Presidential appointments
• Presidents
• Refugees
• Religion
• Religious liberty
• Sanctions (International law)
• Timber sales
• Trade
• Weapons systems

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In the News

July 30, 2008 Treasury imposes new sanctions on Myanmar firms

93, the renewal of import restrictions on Burma (Myanmar) and HR 3890, the Tom Lantos block Burmese JADE (Junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act of 2008 in ...

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July 29, 2008 President Bush Signs H.J.Res. 93, the Renewal of Import Restrictions on Burma, and H.R.3890, the Tom Lantos Block Burmese Jade (junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act of 2008

THE PRESIDENT: Laura and I are welcome -- are pleased to welcome members of the Lantos family -- Mrs. Lantos, thanks for joining us -- and members of Congress who care deeply about democracy in Burma. I'm going to sign a piece of legislation and a

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January 30, 2008 An Open Letter to Conservatives

Sole Sponsor, HR 3890 "A bill to limit United States contributions to the United Nations." He even tried to get the US out of the Anti-Ballistic Missile ...

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December 19, 2008 GPO Congressional Publication Releases Project - Law Librarians ...

Hearing: Markup on H.R. 3887, H.R. 275, H.R. 1746, H.R. 3890, H.R. 2705, H.R. 2949, H.R. 3320, H.R. 3912, H.R. 3913, H. Res. 435, H. Res. 550, H. Res. 573, H. Res. 726, H. Res. 740, H. Res. 747, H. Con. Res. 234, and H. Con. Res. 236. ...

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Source: Law Librarians' Society of Washington, DC - LLSDC

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October 28, 2008 အေမရိကန္ရဲ႕ ...

လူ႔အခြင့္အေရးအဖဲြ႕ေတြက ႀကိဳဆုိလုိက္ၾကပါတယ္။ Pr

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October 06, 2008 what the president has signed into law - july and august 2008

93, the renewal of import restrictions on burma, and hr3890, the tom lantos block burmese jade (junta’s anti-democratic efforts) act of 2008. on tuesday, july 29, 2008, the president signed into law: the clean boating act of 2008, ...

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