SECTION 1: SHORT TITLE. The act may be cited as the "Enhancement of
Trade, Security and Human Rights through Sanctions Reform Act."
SECTION 2: PURPOSE. The purpose of the Act is to establish an
effective framework for consideration of unilateral economic
sanctions.
SECTION 3 STATEMENT OF POLICY. This section sets forth U.S. policy
to pursue American security, trade, and humanitarian interests
through broad-ranging engagement with other countries, while
recognizing the need at times to impose sanctions as a last
resort. It supports multilateral cooperation as an alternative to
unilateral U.S. sanctions. It seeks to promote U S. economic
growth through trade and to maintain America's reputation as a
reliable supplier. It opposes boycotts and use of agricultural
embargoes as a foreign policy weapon. It urges that economic
sanctions be targeted as narrowly as possibly, to minimize harm to
innocent people or to humanitarian activities.
SECTION 4: DEFINITIONS. This section defines "unilateral economic
sanction" as any restriction or condition on economic activity
with respect to a foreign country or entity imported for reasons
of foreign policy or national security. This definition excludes
multilateral sanctions, where other countries have agreed to adopt
"substantially equivalent" measures. The definition also excludes
U.S. trade laws, Jackson-Vanik, and munitions list controls. This
section also defines the terms "national emergency," "agricultural
commodity," "appropriate committees," and "contract sanctity."
SECTION 5: GUIDELINES FOR UNILATERAL ECONOMIC SANCTIONS
LEGISLATION. This section provides that any bill or joint
resolution imposing or authorizing a unilateral economic sanction
should state the U.S. foreign policy or national security
objective, sunset after two years unless specifically authorized,
protect contract sanctity, provide
Presidential authority to adjust or waive the sanction in the
national interest, target the sanction as narrowly as possible
against the parties responsible for the offending conduct, and
provide for expanded export promotion if sanctions target a major
export market for American farmers.
SECTION 6: REQUIREMENTS FOR REPORT ACCOMPANYING THE BILL. The
committee reporting sanctions legislation shall request reports
from the President and Secretary of Agriculture. These reports
shall be included in the committee report. If the legislation does
not meet any Section 5 guideline, the committee report shall
explain why not.
The President's report shall contain an assessment of the
likelihood that the proposed sanction will achieve its stated
objective within reasonable time. It must weigh the likely foreign
policy, national security, economic, and humanitarian benefits
against the costs of acting unilaterally. The report will also
assess alternatives, such as prior diplomatic and other U.S. steps
and comparable multilateral measures.
The Secretary of Agriculture's report shall assess the likely
extent of the proposed legislation in terms of market share in
affected countries, the likelihood that U.S. agricultural exports
will be affected on the reputation of U.S. farmers as reliable
suppliers.
section 6 also considers unilateral sanctions as unfunded federal
mandates for purposes of the Unfunded Mandates Act. The
Congressional Budget Office shall assess the likely short- and long-
term cost of the proposed sanctions to the U.S. economy.
SECTION 7: REQUIREMENTS FOR EXECUTIVE ACTION. The President may
impose a unilateral sanction no less than 60 days after announcing
his intention to do so, during which time he shall consult with
Congressional committees and publish a notice in the Federal
Register seeking public comment. Any Executive sanction must meet
the same guidelines that Section 5 applies to the Congress and
must, in addition, include a clear finding that the sanction is
likely to achieve a specific U.S. foreign policy or national
security objective within a reasonable -- and specified -- period of
time.
Section 7 also requires -- prior to the imposition of a unilateral
sanction -- the President and the Secretary of Agriculture to
provide to the appropriate Congressional committees reports that
contain the same assessment as required in the reports described
in Section 6. The President shall also request a report by the U.S.
International Trade Commission on the likely short- And long-term
costs of the proposed sanctions to the U. S. economy, including the
potential impact on U. S. competitiveness.
In case of national emergency, the bill allows the President
temporarily to waive most Section 7 requirements in order to act
immediately. If the President acts on an emergency basis, the
waived requirements must be met within sixty days. Finally, the
President shall establish an interagency Sanctions Review
Committee to improve coordination of U.S. policy regarding
unilateral sanctions.
SECTION 8: ANNUAL REPORTS. The President must submit to the
appropriate committees a report each year detailing the extent to
which sanctions have achieved U.S. objectives, as well as their
impact on humanitarian and other U.S. interests, including
relations with friendly countries. The U.S. International Trade
Commission shall report to the congress on the costs, individually
and in the aggregate, of all unilateral economic sanctions in
effect under U.S. law, regulation, or Executive order, including
the impact on U.S. competitiveness.
Home |
About Us |
Resources |
Press Releases |
Federal Activity & Legislation
Return to Top
State & Local Activity |
NFTC Lawsuit |
Contact Us |
Site Index