3.0.0 2242 2023-01-11T13:27:15Z 2023-01-11T13:27:15Z House HR 2015-05-05 114 [Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 5, 2015)]From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]By Mr. SMITH of New Jersey:H.R. 2242.Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuantto the following:Article 1, Section 8[Page H2799]]]> hsju00 Judiciary Committee House Standing hsju01 Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee Referred to 2015-06-01T13:08:06Z Referred to 2015-05-05T15:30:35Z hswm00 Ways and Means Committee House Standing hswm04 Trade Subcommittee Referred to 2015-05-20T13:29:36Z Referred to 2015-05-05T15:30:40Z hsfa00 Foreign Affairs Committee House Standing hsfa16 Africa Subcommittee Referred to 2015-05-20T13:25:15Z Referred to 2015-05-05T15:30:30Z 2015-06-01 hsju01 Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee 1 House committee actions Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security. Committee 2015-05-20 hswm04 Trade Subcommittee 1 House committee actions Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade. Committee 2015-05-20 hsfa16 Africa Subcommittee 1 House committee actions Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations. Committee 2015-05-05 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, 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. IntroReferral H11100 2 House floor actions hswm00 Ways and Means Committee 2015-05-05 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, 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. IntroReferral H11100 2 House floor actions hsju00 Judiciary Committee 2015-05-05 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, 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. IntroReferral H11100-A 9 Library of Congress 2015-05-05 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, 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. IntroReferral H11100 2 House floor actions hsfa00 Foreign Affairs Committee 2015-05-05 Introduced in House IntroReferral Intro-H 9 Library of Congress 2015-05-05 Introduced in House IntroReferral 1000 9 Library of Congress S000522 Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] CHRISTOPHER SMITH R NJ H. 4 N B000574 Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3] EARL BLUMENAUER D OR 3 2015-05-05 True P000373 Rep. Pitts, Joseph R. [R-PA-16] JOSEPH PITTS R PA R. 16 2015-05-05 True S001150 Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-28] ADAM SCHIFF D CA B. 28 2015-06-02 False International Affairs Asia China Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits Congressional oversight Free trade and trade barriers Government information and archives Human rights Internet and video services Internet, web applications, social media Middle East News media and reporting Sanctions Saudi Arabia Trade agreements and negotiations Trade restrictions Vietnam Visas and passports International Affairs 00 2015-05-05 Introduced in House 2015-06-19T15:19:41Z World Press Freedom Protection Act of 2015

This bill authorizes the President to impose U.S. admissibility sanctions against a foreign person who:

  • is responsible for severe restrictions on the freedom of expression or freedom of the press; or
  • has materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, such an activity.

The President may waive such sanctions if in U.S. national security interests, and terminate them under specified conditions.

Sanctions shall not apply if necessary to comply with the Agreement between the United Nations (U.N.) and the United States regarding the U.N. Headquarters or other applicable international obligations of the United States.

The President shall report to Congress annually regarding each foreign person sanctioned, and the dates and reason for the imposition of any sanctions.

It should be U.S. policy to respond strongly to the growing number of restrictions, arrests, killings, and visa delays or denials faced by foreign journalists and their domestic employees.

An executive of a foreign state-owned media organization who is applying for a nonimmigrant I-visa (foreign media representative) shall be refused the visa if any U.S. journalist or news organization personnel were expelled, had visas denied, or faced violence in the course of working in such foreign state during the previous fiscal year.

Annual country reports of human rights practices under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 shall now include information about the country's practices with respect to foreign journalists and their domestic personnel.

It is the sense of Congress that:

  • restrictions on journalists and media websites and Internet censorship are significant foreign trade barriers;
  • the United States Trade Representative should include a list of blocked U.S. websites in its annual report on foreign trade barriers; and
  • the United States should pursue disputes to end foreign blockage of U.S. websites at the World Trade Organization.
]]> World Press Freedom Protection Act of 2015 Display Title World Press Freedom Protection Act of 2015 Official Title as Introduced To protect the internationally recognized right of free expression, ensure the free flow of information, and protect journalists and media personnel globally. Introduced in House IH Short Titles as Introduced World Press Freedom Protection Act of 2015 Introduced in House 2015-05-05T04:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-114hr2242ih/xml/BILLS-114hr2242ih.xml 2015-06-01 Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security. text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress This file contains bill summaries and statuses for federal legislation. A bill summary describes the most significant provisions of a piece of legislation and details the effects the legislative text may have on current law and federal programs. Bill summaries are authored by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress. As stated in Public Law 91-510 (2 USC 166 (d)(6)), one of the duties of CRS is "to prepare summaries and digests of bills and resolutions of a public general nature introduced in the Senate or House of Representatives". For more information, refer to the User Guide that accompanies this file.