Bill Summary
This legislation, known as the "Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act," seeks to amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 in order to address the issue of anti-Semitism globally. It acknowledges that since a previous act was enacted in 2004, acts of anti-Semitism have continued to occur frequently and in various forms around the world. To address this issue, the legislation proposes the creation of a Special Envoy, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, who will report directly to the Secretary of State. This Special Envoy will serve as the primary advisor and coordinator for efforts by the United States government to monitor and combat anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic incitement in foreign countries. The Special Envoy will have the rank of ambassador and must have recognized expertise in combating anti-Semitism.
Possible Impacts
1. The Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act could potentially affect people by creating a specific position within the US government that focuses solely on addressing the issue of anti-Semitism globally. This could lead to increased awareness and efforts to combat anti-Semitism, potentially benefiting Jewish communities and individuals who have been affected by anti-Semitic acts.
2. The amendment to the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 could also affect people by giving the Special Envoy a higher rank and status as an ambassador, potentially giving them more authority and influence in addressing anti-Semitism on a global scale.
3. The legislation could also affect people by requiring the President to nominate a person of "recognized distinction in the field of combating anti-Semitism" for the role of Special Envoy. This could potentially lead to the selection of a highly qualified and experienced individual who is dedicated to addressing and combatting anti-Semitism, potentially benefiting those who have been affected by it.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 238 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
Calendar No. 461
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 238
To amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to monitor
and combat anti-Semitism globally, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 28, 2019
Mr. Rubio (for himself, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Graham, Mr. Menendez, Ms.
Rosen, Ms. Warren, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Rounds, Mrs. Murray, Ms.
Duckworth, and Mr. Markey) introduced the following bill; which was
read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
June 3, 2020
Reported by Mr. Risch, with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to monitor
and combat anti-Semitism globally, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``Special Envoy to Monitor
and Combat Anti-Semitism Act of 2019''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 2. FINDING.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Congress finds that since the Global Anti-Semitism Review
Act of 2004 was enacted, in many foreign countries acts of anti-
Semitism have been frequent and wide in scope, the perpetrators and
variety of threats to Jewish communities and their institutions have
proliferated, and in some countries anti-Semitic attacks have increased
in frequency, scope, violence, and deadliness.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 3. MONITORING AND COMBATING ANTI-SEMITISM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Subsection (a) of section 59 of the State
Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2731) is amended--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in paragraph (2)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in subparagraph (A)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) by inserting before the period
at the end the following: ``, who shall be
appointed by the President, by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) by adding at the end the
following new sentence: ``The Special Envoy
shall report directly to the Secretary.'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in subparagraph (B)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) in the heading, but striking
``Appointment'' and inserting
``Nomination'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) by striking the first
sentence;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) in the second sentence, by
striking ``If the Secretary determines that
such is appropriate, the Secretary may
appoint'' and inserting ``If the President
determines that such is appropriate, the
President may nominate''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) in the third sentence, by
striking ``The Secretary may allow such officer
or employee to retain the position (and the
responsibilities associated with such position)
held by such officer or employee prior to the
appointment'' and inserting ``Such officer or
employee may not retain the position (or the
responsibilities associated with such position)
held by such officer or employee prior to the
nomination''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by adding at the end the following new
paragraphs:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Duties.--The Special Envoy shall serve as
the primary advisor to, and coordinate efforts across, the
United States Government relating to monitoring and combating
anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic incitement that occur in foreign
countries.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Rank and status of ambassador.--The Special
Envoy shall have the rank of ambassador.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) Qualifications.--The Special Envoy should be
a person of recognized distinction in the field of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) combating anti-Semitism;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) religious freedom; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) law enforcement.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Nomination.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and not later than 120 after any such
position becomes vacant, the President shall nominate the Special Envoy
for Monitoring and Combating anti-Semitism under section 59 of the
State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956, as amended by
subsection (a) of this section.</DELETED>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat
Anti-Semitism Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDING.
Congress finds that, since the Global Anti-Semitism Review Act of
2004 (Public Law 108-332) was enacted, in many foreign countries acts
of anti-Semitism have been frequent and wide in scope, the perpetrators
and variety of threats to Jewish communities and their institutions
have proliferated, and in some countries anti-Semitic attacks have
increased in frequency, scope, violence, and deadliness.
SEC. 3. MONITORING AND COMBATING ANTI-SEMITISM.
Section 59(a) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956
(22 U.S.C. 2731(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by inserting before the period at the
end the following: ``, who shall be appointed
by the President, by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate''; and
(ii) by adding at the end the following new
sentence: ``The Special Envoy shall report
directly to the Secretary.''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) in the heading, by striking
``Appointment'' and inserting ``Nomination'';
(ii) by striking the first sentence;
(iii) in the second sentence, by striking
``If the Secretary determines that such is
appropriate, the Secretary may appoint'' and
inserting ``If the President determines that
such is appropriate, the President may
nominate''; and
(iv) in the third sentence, by striking
``The Secretary may allow such officer or
employee to retain the position (and the
responsibilities associated with such position)
held by such officer or employee prior to the
appointment'' and inserting ``Such officer or
employee may not retain the position (or the
responsibilities associated with such position)
held by such officer or employee prior to the
nomination''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(3) Duties.--The Special Envoy shall serve as the primary
advisor to, and coordinate efforts across, the United States
Government relating to monitoring and combating anti-Semitism
and anti-Semitic incitement that occur in foreign countries.
``(4) Rank and status of ambassador.--The Special Envoy
shall have the rank of ambassador.
``(5) Qualifications.--The Special Envoy should be a person
of recognized distinction in the field of combating anti-
Semitism.''.
Calendar No. 461
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 238
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to monitor
and combat anti-Semitism globally, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
June 3, 2020
Reported with an amendment