[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 166 (Thursday, September 24, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5878-S5879]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 725--ESTABLISHING THE SENATE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

  Mr. COONS (for himself, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Jones, Ms. Collins, Mr. 
Merkley, and Mr. Lankford) submitted the following resolution; which 
was referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration:

                              S. Res. 725

       Resolved,

     SECTION 1. SENATE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION.

       (a) Commission Establishment.--
       (1) In general.--There is established in the Senate the 
     Senate Human Rights Commission (in this section referred to 
     as the ``Commission'').
       (2) Duties.--The Commission shall--
       (A) serve as a forum for bipartisan discussion of 
     international human rights issues and promotion of 
     internationally recognized human rights as enshrined in the 
     Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
       (B) raise awareness of international human rights 
     violations through regular briefings and hearings; and
       (C) collaborate with congressional committees and other 
     congressional entities, the executive branch, human rights 
     entities, and nongovernmental organizations to promote human 
     rights initiatives within the Senate.
       (3) Limitations.--The Commission shall not--
       (A) have legislative jurisdiction;
       (B) have authority to take legislative action on any bill 
     or resolution; or
       (C) encroach upon the jurisdiction of any standing, select, 
     or special committee of the Senate.
       (4) Membership.--Any Senator may become a member of the 
     Commission by submitting a written statement to that effect 
     to the Commission.
       (5) Co-chairpersons of the commission.--
       (A) In general.--Two members of the Commission shall be 
     appointed to serve as co-chairpersons of the Commission, as 
     follows:

[[Page S5879]]

       (i) One co-chairperson shall be appointed, and may be 
     removed, by the majority leader of the Senate.
       (ii) One co-chairperson shall be appointed, and may be 
     removed, by the minority leader of the Senate.
       (B) Term.--The term of a member as a co-chairperson of the 
     Commission shall end on the last day of the Congress during 
     which the member is appointed as a co-chairperson, unless the 
     member ceases being a member of the Senate, leaves the 
     Commission, resigns from the position of co-chairperson, or 
     is removed.
       (C) Publication.--Appointments under this paragraph shall 
     be printed in the Congressional Record.
       (D) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the position of co-
     chairperson of the Commission shall be filled in the same 
     manner in which the original appointment was made.
       (b) Commission Staff.--
       (1) Compensation and expenses.--
       (A) In general.--The Commission is authorized, from funds 
     made available under subsection (c), to--
       (i) employ such staff in the manner and at a rate not to 
     exceed that allowed for employees of a committee of the 
     Senate under section 105(e)(3) of the Legislative Branch 
     Appropriation Act, 1968 (2 U.S.C. 4575(e)(3)); and
       (ii) incur such expenses as may be necessary or appropriate 
     to carry out its duties and functions.
       (B) Expenses.--
       (i) In general.--Payments made under this subsection for 
     receptions, meals, and food-related expenses shall be 
     authorized only for actual expenses incurred by the 
     Commission in the course of conducting its official duties 
     and functions.
       (ii) Treatment of payments.--Amounts received as 
     reimbursement for expenses described in clause (i) shall not 
     be reported as income, and the expenses so reimbursed shall 
     not be allowed as a deduction under the Internal Revenue Code 
     of 1986.
       (2) Designation of professional staff.--
       (A) In general.--Each co-chairperson of the Commission may 
     designate 1 professional staff member.
       (B) Compensation of senate employees.--In the case of the 
     compensation of any professional staff member designated 
     under subparagraph (A) who is an employee of a Member of the 
     Senate or of a committee of the Senate and who has been 
     designated to perform services for the Commission, the 
     professional staff member shall continue to be paid by the 
     Member or committee, as the case may be, but the account from 
     which the professional staff member is paid shall be 
     reimbursed for the services of the professional staff member 
     (including agency contributions when appropriate) out of 
     funds made available under subsection (c).
       (C) Duties.--Each professional staff member designated 
     under subparagraph (A) shall--
       (i) serve all members of the Commission; and
       (ii) carry out such other functions as the co-chairperson 
     designating the professional staff member may specify.
       (c) Payment of Expenses.--
       (1) In general.--The expenses of the Commission shall be 
     paid from the Contingent Fund of the Senate, out of the 
     account of Miscellaneous Items, upon vouchers approved 
     jointly by the co-chairpersons (except that vouchers shall 
     not be required for the disbursement of salaries of employees 
     who are paid at an annual rate of pay).
       (2) Amounts available.--For any fiscal year, not more than 
     $200,000 shall be expended for employees and expenses.

                          ____________________