II 110th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3177 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 23, 2008 Mr. Reid (for Mr. Kennedy) (for himself, Mr. Biden, Mr. Hagel, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Durbin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations A BILL To develop a policy to address the critical needs of Iraqi refugees.

1.

White House Coordinator for Iraqi Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons

(a)

Establishment

There is established, in the Executive Office of the President, the position of White House Coordinator for Iraqi Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (referred to in this section as the Coordinator), who shall be appointed by the President. (b)

Rank; supervision

The Coordinator shall— (1)have the rank and status of Ambassador-at-Large; and (2)report directly to the President. (c)

Duties

The Coordinator shall— (1)develop and implement United States’ policies and strategies to— (A)address the protection, resettlement, and assistance needs of Iraqi refugees and displaced persons; and (B)foster long-term solutions for improving the lives of Iraqi citizens and nationals who have been displaced; (2)coordinate all Federal Government functions to ensure that a cohesive, comprehensive policy is implemented to address the resettlement and humanitarian needs of Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons; (3)monitor the development and implementation of assistance strategies to countries in the Middle East hosting Iraqi refugees; (4)ensure that the President’s budget requests to Congress are sufficient to meet the needs of Iraqis and displaced persons and seek to fund at least 50 percent of all United Nations and other international organizations’ appeals for Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons; (5)serve as principal liaison with— (A)the Government of Iraq and the international community to solicit and direct bilateral and multilateral contributions to address the humanitarian needs of Iraqis in Syria, Jordan, and other countries in the Middle East and internally displaced persons in Iraq; (B)the nongovernmental humanitarian community; and (C)organizations that are assisting Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons; and (6)ensure that the United States Government will encourage refugee returns only when conditions permit safe, sustainable returns on a voluntary basis. (d)

Report

(1)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and every 180 days thereafter, the Coordinator shall submit a report on the implementation of the strategy developed under subsection (b)(1) to— (A)the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; (B)the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; (C)the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate; and (D)the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives. (2)

Contents

The report submitted under this subsection shall— (A)include specific financial commitments made by countries in the region, Arab League members, and other major donors in the international community for Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons; and (B)address challenges to securing additional commitments.