H.R. 5497 · 117th Congress · House

BURMA Act of 2022

In Congress· Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Introduced
Oct 5, 21
Passed House
Apr 6, 22
Passed Senate
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive Summary

Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2022 or the BURMA Act of 2022

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.

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.

Previous Versions

00Oct 5, 2021

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.

Action Timeline

16
  1. APR 07, 2022IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

  2. APR 06, 2022Floor

    Mr

    Meeks moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  3. APR 06, 2022Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules

    (consideration: CR H4204-4212)

    4204Yea
    4212Nay
    0NV
  4. APR 06, 2022Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5497.

  5. APR 06, 2022Floor

    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)

    4204Yea
    4209Nay
    0NV
  6. APR 06, 2022Floor

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4204-4209)

    4204Yea
    4209Nay
    0NV
  7. APR 06, 2022Floor

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  8. OCT 21, 2021Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  9. OCT 21, 2021Committee

    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.

  10. OCT 05, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  11. OCT 05, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  12. OCT 05, 2021IntroReferral

    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.

  13. OCT 05, 2021IntroReferral

    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.

  14. OCT 05, 2021IntroReferral

    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.

  15. OCT 05, 2021IntroReferral

    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.

  16. OCT 05, 2021Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.

Committees

7

Foreign Relations Committee

ssfr00

Referred: Apr 7, 2022

Active

Foreign Affairs Committee

hsfa00

Referred: Oct 21, 2021

Active

Trade Subcommittee

hswm04

Referred: Oct 5, 2021

Active

Ways and Means Committee

hswm00

Referred: Oct 5, 2021

Active

Financial Services Committee

hsba00

Referred: Oct 5, 2021

Active

Judiciary Committee

hsju00

Referred: Oct 5, 2021

Active

Foreign Affairs Committee

hsfa00

Referred: Oct 5, 2021

Active