110 HR 5697 IH: To prohibit the use of certain funds related to the 2008 U.S. House of Representatives 2008-04-03 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.

I 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5697 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 3, 2008 Mr. DeFazio (for himself, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Pallone, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Stark, Ms. Watson, Mr. Cummings, Mr. McCotter, Ms. Berkley, Ms. Lee, Mr. Welch of Vermont, Mr. Abercrombie, and Ms. Zoe Lofgren of California) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs A BILL To prohibit the use of certain funds related to the 2008 Olympic Games in China, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Defend the Olympic Spirit Act of 2008.

2.

Findings

Congress finds the following: (1)The People’s Republic of China has rejected calls by the international community to cease human rights violations and has instead brutally cracked down on recent demonstrations in the Tibetan Autonomous Region and several Chinese provinces, resulting in an undetermined number of deaths and hundreds of detentions. (2)China has consistently impeded efforts to pressure Sudan to peacefully resolve the Darfur atrocities, including using its Security Council position to block sanctions against Sudan. China has emboldened Sudan to ignore international pressure by removing the threat of further sanctions. (3)China continues to unfairly detain thousands of political prisoners absent a trial, including democracy activists, human rights defenders, religious leaders, journalists, trade unionists, and political dissidents.

3.

Prohibition on use of certain funds related to the 2008 Olympic Games in China

(a)

Opening ceremonies

No funds appropriated pursuant to any appropriations Acts or otherwise appropriated may be expended to enable any United States officer or official to attend the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic Games in the People’s Republic of China. (b)

Rule of construction related to security

Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the expenditure of Federal funds to provide security during the 2008 Olympic Games to any United States athlete or associated support staff.