Bill Sponsor
House Bill 5497
117th Congress(2021-2022)
BURMA Act of 2021
Active
Active
Passed House on Apr 6, 2022
Overview
Text
Introduced
Oct 5, 2021
Latest Action
Apr 7, 2022
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
5497
Congress
117
Policy Area
International Affairs
International Affairs
Primary focus of measure is matters affecting foreign aid, human rights, international law and organizations; national governance; arms control; diplomacy and foreign officials; alliances and collective security. Measures concerning trade agreements, tariffs, foreign investments, and foreign loans may fall under Foreign Trade and International Finance policy area.
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House Votes (1)
Senate Votes (0)
checkPassed on April 6, 2022
Status
Passed
Type
Voice Vote
Voice Vote
A vote in which the presiding officer states the question, then asks those in favor and against to say "Yea" or "Nay," respectively, and announces the result according to his or her judgment. The names or numbers of senators voting on each side are not recorded.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H4204-4209)
Summary

Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2021 or the BURMA Act of 2021

This bill imposes sanctions pertaining to Burma (Myanmar) and addresses related issues.

The President must impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions on certain foreign persons (i.e., an individual or entity), including those that (1) knowingly operate in Burma's defense sector, (2) are responsible for or complicit in undermining Burma's democratic processes, or (3) are senior leaders in Burma's military or government. The Department of the Treasury must prohibit or impose strict conditions on certain accounts used to facilitate transactions for such sanctioned persons.

The President may impose sanctions on Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise if such sanctions would support certain objectives, including reducing the Burmese military's ability to undermine democracy in Burma. The President may also prohibit imports of precious and semiprecious gemstones from Burma.

Before removing certain foreign persons from a list of specially designated nationals and blocked persons (commonly known as the SDN list), the President must certify to Congress that the person in question has not knowingly engaged in certain activities, such as supporting terrorism.

The bill authorizes Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development activities in Burma and the surrounding region to support democracy activists, humanitarian assistance, and reconciliation efforts. The State Department may (1) continue to assist organizations supporting political prisoners in Burma, and (2) provide assistance to entities investigating crimes against humanity.

The President must direct U.S. representatives to the United Nations to vote and advocate for certain actions related to Burma, such as cutting off assistance to Burma's government.

Text (3)
April 7, 2022
April 6, 2022
October 5, 2021
Actions (12)
04/07/2022
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
04/06/2022
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
04/06/2022
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4204-4209)
04/06/2022
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H4204-4209)
04/06/2022
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5497.
04/06/2022
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4204-4212)
04/06/2022
Mr. Meeks moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
10/21/2021
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
10/21/2021
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
10/05/2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.
10/05/2021
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, 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.
10/05/2021
Introduced in House
Public Record
Record Updated
Mar 8, 2023 7:58:36 PM