July 9, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4733 (O) the right to a full scope of reproductive the Republic of the , and for other pur- ‘‘(III) the salary or wage range and em- health services, including contraceptive poses. ployee benefits offered; care, pregnancy-related care, prenatal care, SA 909. Mr. THUNE (for Mr. CRUZ (for him- ‘‘(IV) the location(s) at which the non- miscarriage management, family planning self and Mr. DURBIN)) proposed an amend- immigrant(s) will be employed; and services, abortion care, labor and delivery ment to the resolution S. Res. 188, supra. ‘‘(V) the process for applying for a posi- services, and postnatal care; f tion; and’’. (P) the right to breastfeeding support, SEC. 4. H–1B EMPLOYER APPLICATION REQUIRE- counseling, and equipment (including man- TEXT OF AMENDMENTS MENTS. ual and electric pumping equipment); SA 906. Mr. GRASSLEY submitted an (a) WAGE DETERMINATION INFORMATION.— (Q) the right to prescription medications amendment intended to be proposed by Section 212(n)(1)(D) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)(1)(D)) is and medical and surgical services related to him to the bill S. 386, to amend the Im- gender transition; amended by inserting ‘‘the prevailing wage (R) the right to try investigational drugs; migration and Nationality Act to determination methodology used under sub- (S) the right to a second medical opinion; eliminate the per-country numerical paragraph (A)(i)(II),’’ after ‘‘shall contain’’. (T) the right to home care services; limitation for employment-based im- (b) NEW APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS.—Sec- (U) the right to a full scope of hospice and migrants, to increase the per-country tion 212(n)(1) of the Immigration and Nation- palliative care, and end-of-life options; and numerical limitation for family-spon- ality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)(1)) is amended by inserting after subparagraph (G)(ii) the fol- (V) the right of pediatric patients to a full sored immigrants, and for other pur- scope of services offered to adult patients; lowing: poses; which was referred to the Com- ‘‘(H)(i) The employer, or a person or entity (3) to health information and records pri- mittee on the Judiciary; as follows: vacy; acting on the employer’s behalf, has not ad- (4) to explanations of coverage decisions, At the end, add the following: vertised any available position specified in including— SEC. 3. POSTING AVAILABLE POSITIONS the application in an advertisement that (A) the right to an explanation and appeal THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF states or indicates that— LABOR. if a plan denies payment for a medical treat- ‘‘(I) such position is only available to an (a) DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WEBSITE.—Sec- ment or service; individual who is or will be an H–1B non- tion 212(n)(6) of the Immigration and Nation- (B) the right to an internal appeal of pay- immigrant; or ality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)(6)) is added, to ment decisions of private health plans if the ‘‘(II) an individual who is or will be an H– read as follows: health plan refuses to make a payment; 1B nonimmigrant shall receive priority or a ‘‘(6) For purposes of complying with para- (C) the right to a review by an outside re- preference in the hiring process for such po- graph (1)(C)— view, by an independent organization; and sition. ‘‘(A) Not later than 180 days after the date (D) the right to complain, through griev- ‘‘(ii) The employer has not primarily re- of the enactment of the Fairness for High- ances processes; cruited individuals who are or who will be H– Skilled Immigrants Act of 2019, the Sec- (5) to transparency, including— 1B nonimmigrants to fill such position. retary of Labor shall establish a searchable (A) the right to an easy-to-understand ‘‘(I) If the employer, in a previous period website for posting positions in ac- summary of benefits and coverage; specified by the Secretary, employed one or cordance with paragraph (1)(C) that is avail- (B) the right to at least 30 days’ notice if more H–1B nonimmigrants, the employer able to the public without charge, except an insurer cancels coverage; shall submit to the Secretary the Internal that the Secretary may delay the launch of (C) the right to clear justification and ex- Revenue Service Form W–2 Wage and Tax such website for a single period identified by planation for premium increases that are un- Statements filed by the employer with re- the Secretary by notice in the Federal Reg- reasonable; spect to the H–1B nonimmigrants for such ister that shall not exceed 30 days. (D) the right to know how an enrollee’s period.’’. ‘‘(B) The Secretary may work with private (c) LABOR CONDITION APPLICATION FEE.— plan pays its providers; companies or nonprofit organizations to de- Section 212(n) of the Immigration and Na- (E) the right to give informed consent and velop and operate the Internet website de- tionality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)) is amended by understanding about medical conditions, scribed in subparagraph (A). adding at the end the following: risks and benefits of treatment, and appro- ‘‘(C) The Secretary shall promulgate rules, ‘‘(6)(A) The Secretary of Labor shall pro- priate alternatives; after notice and a period for comment, to mulgate a regulation that requires appli- (F) the right to know how drug companies carry out this paragraph.’’. cants under this subsection to pay an admin- set drug prices; and (b) PUBLICATION REQUIREMENT.—The Sec- istrative fee to cover the average paperwork (G) the right to know the amount of money retary of Labor shall submit to Congress, processing costs and other administrative pharmacy benefit managers keep and the and publish in the Federal Register and in costs. amount of savings from pharmacy benefits other appropriate media, a notice of the date ‘‘(B)(i) Fees collected under this paragraph managers that reach patients and con- on which the Internet website required under shall be deposited as offsetting receipts with- sumers; section 212(n)(6) of the Immigration and Na- in the general fund of the Treasury in a sepa- (6) to protection from discrimination, in- tionality Act, as established by subsection rate account, which shall be known as the cluding on the basis of race, color, national (a), will be operational. ‘H–1B Administration, Oversight, Investiga- origin, sex (including sexual orientation and (c) APPLICATION.—The amendment made by tion, and Enforcement Account’ and shall re- gender identity), age, disability, or docu- subsection (a) shall apply to any application main available until expended. mentation status; and filed on or after the date that is 90 days after ‘‘(ii) The Secretary of the Treasury shall (7) to culturally appropriate care, includ- the date described in subsection (b). refund amounts in such account to the Sec- ing health care services in a language that (d) INTERNET POSTING REQUIREMENT.—Sec- retary of Labor for salaries and related ex- the patient understands and that is cul- tion 212(n)(1)(C) of such Act is amended— penses associated with the administration, turally sensitive. (1) by redesignating clause (ii) as subclause oversight, investigation, and enforcement of f (II); the H–1B nonimmigrant visa program.’’. (2) by striking ‘‘(i) has provided’’ and in- (d) ELIMINATION OF B–1 IN LIEU OF H–1.— AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED AND serting the following: Section 214(g) of the Immigration and Na- PROPOSED ‘‘(ii)(I) has provided’’; and tionality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(g)) is amended by (3) by inserting before clause (ii), as redes- adding at the end the following: SA 906. Mr. GRASSLEY submitted an ‘‘(12)(A) Unless otherwise authorized by ignated by paragraph (2), the following: amendment intended to be proposed by him law, an alien normally classifiable under sec- ‘‘(i) except in the case of an employer fil- to the bill S. 386, to amend the Immigration tion 101(a)(15)(H)(i) who seeks admission to and Nationality Act to eliminate the per- ing a petition on behalf of an H–1B non- the to provide services in a country numerical limitation for employ- immigrant who has already been counted specialty occupation described in paragraph ment-based immigrants, to increase the per- against the numerical limitations and is not (1) or (3) of subsection (i) may not be issued country numerical limitation for family- eligible for a full 6-year period, as described a visa or admitted under section 101(a)(15)(B) sponsored immigrants, and for other pur- in section 214(g)(7), or on behalf of an H–1B for such purpose. poses; which was referred to the Committee nonimmigrant authorized to accept employ- ‘‘(B) Nothing in this paragraph may be on the Judiciary. ment under section 214(n), has posted on the construed to authorize the admission of an SA 907. Mr. THUNE (for Mrs. SHAHEEN) internet website described in paragraph (6), alien under section 101(a)(15)(B) who is com- proposed an amendment to the bill S. 239, to for at least 30 calendar days, a description of ing to the United States for the purpose of require the Secretary of the Treasury to each position for which a nonimmigrant is performing skilled or unskilled labor if such mint coins in recognition of Christa sought, that includes— admission is not otherwise authorized by McAuliffe. ‘‘(I) the occupational classification, and if law.’’. SA 908. Mr. THUNE (for Mr. CRUZ (for him- different the employer’s job title for the po- SEC. 5. INVESTIGATION AND DISPOSITION OF self and Mr. DURBIN)) proposed an amend- sition, in which the nonimmigrant(s) will be COMPLAINTS AGAINST H–1B EM- ment to the resolution S. Res. 188, encour- employed; PLOYERS. aging a swift transfer of power by the mili- ‘‘(II) the education, training, or experience (a) INVESTIGATION, WORKING CONDITIONS, tary to a civilian-led political authority in qualifications for the position; AND PENALTIES.—Section 212(n)(2)(C) of the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:17 Jul 10, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A09JY6.029 S09JYPT1 S4734 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 9, 2019 Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. cation, job responsibility and function, spe- (A) by striking‘‘clause (viii)’’ and inserting 1182(n)(2)(C)) is amended by striking clause cialized knowledge, and other legitimate ‘‘clause (vi)’’; and (iv) and inserting the following: business factors, except in a geographical (B) by striking ‘‘meet a condition described ‘‘(iv)(I) An employer that has filed an ap- area there are no such employees, and in clause (ii)’’ and inserting ‘‘comply with plication under this subsection violates this ‘‘(II) the prevailing wages identified in the requirements under this subsection’’; clause by taking, failing to take, or threat- clause (ii) reflect the best available informa- (7) by amending clause (v), as so redesig- ening to take or fail to take a personnel ac- tion for the geographical area within normal nated, to read as follows: tion, or intimidating, threatening, restrain- commuting distance of the actual address of ‘‘(v)(I) The Secretary of Labor shall pro- ing, coercing, blacklisting, discharging, or employment at which the H–1B non- vide notice to an employer of the intent to discriminating in any other manner against immigrant is or will be employed.’’. conduct an investigation under clause (i) or an employee because the employee— (c) PROCEDURES FOR INVESTIGATION AND (ii). ‘‘(aa) disclosed information that the em- DISPOSITION.—Section 212(n)(2)(A) of the Im- ‘‘(II) The notice shall be provided in such a ployee reasonably believes evidences a viola- migration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. manner, and shall contain sufficient detail, tion of this subsection or any rule or regula- 1182(n)(2)(A)) is amended— to permit the employer to respond to the al- tion pertaining to this subsection; or (1) by striking ‘‘(2)(A) Subject’’ and insert- legations before an investigation is com- ‘‘(bb) cooperated or sought to cooperate ing ‘‘(2)(A)(i) Subject’’; menced. with the requirements under this subsection (2) by striking the fourth sentence; and ‘‘(III) The Secretary is not required to or any rule or regulation pertaining to this (3) by adding at the end the following: comply with this clause if the Secretary de- subsection. ‘‘(ii)(I) Upon receipt of a complaint under termines that such compliance would inter- ‘‘(II) An employer that violates this clause clause (i), the Secretary may initiate an in- fere with an effort by the Secretary to inves- shall be liable to the employee harmed by vestigation to determine whether such a fail- tigate or secure compliance by the employer such violation for lost wages and benefits. ure or misrepresentation has occurred. with the requirements of this subsection. ‘‘(III) In this clause, the term ‘employee’ ‘‘(II) The Secretary may conduct— ‘‘(IV) A determination by the Secretary includes— ‘‘(aa) surveys of the degree to which em- under this clause shall not be subject to judi- ‘‘(aa) a current employee; ployers comply with the requirements under cial review.’’; this subsection; and ‘‘(bb) a former employee; and (8) in clause (vi), as so redesignated, by ‘‘(bb) subject to subclause (IV), annual ‘‘(cc) an applicant for employment.’’. striking ‘‘An investigation’’ in the first sen- compliance audits of any employer that em- (b) INFORMATION SHARING.—Section tence and all that follows through ‘‘the de- ploys H–1B nonimmigrants during the appli- 212(n)(2)(H) of the Immigration and Nation- termination.’’ in the second sentence and in- cable calendar year. ality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)(2)(H)) is amended serting ‘‘If the Secretary of Labor, after an ‘‘(III) Subject to subclause (IV), the Sec- to read as follows: investigation under clause (i) or (ii), deter- retary shall— ‘‘(H)(i) The Director of U.S. Citizenship and mines that a reasonable basis exists to make ‘‘(aa) conduct annual compliance audits of Immigration Services shall provide the Sec- a finding that the employer has failed to each employer that employs more than 100 retary of Labor with any information con- comply with the requirements under this full-time equivalent employees who are em- tained in the materials submitted by em- subsection, the Secretary shall provide inter- ployed in the United States if more than 15 ployers of H–1B nonimmigrants as part of ested parties with notice of such determina- percent of such full-time employees are H–1B the petition adjudication process that indi- tion and an opportunity for a hearing in ac- nonimmigrants; and cates that the employer is not complying cordance with section 556 of title 5, United ‘‘(bb) make available to the public an exec- with visa program requirements for H–1B States Code, not later than 60 days after the utive summary or report describing the gen- nonimmigrants. date of such determination.’’; and eral findings of the audits conducted under ‘‘(ii) The Secretary may initiate and con- (9) by adding at the end the following: this subclause. duct an investigation and hearing under this ‘‘(vii) If the Secretary of Labor, after a ‘‘(IV) In the case of an employer subject to paragraph after receiving information of hearing, finds that the employer has violated an annual compliance audit in which there noncompliance under this subparagraph.’’. a requirement under this subsection, the was no finding of a willful failure to meet a Secretary may impose a penalty pursuant to SEC. 6. LABOR CONDITION APPLICATIONS. condition under subparagraph (C)(ii), no fur- subparagraph (C).’’. (a) APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS.— ther annual compliance audit shall be con- Section 212(n)(1) of the Immigration and Na- ducted with respect to such employer for a SA 907. Mr. THUNE (for Mrs. SHA- tionality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)(1)) is amended, period of not less than 4 years, absent evi- HEEN) proposed an amendment to the in the undesignated matter following sub- dence of misrepresentation or fraud.’’. paragraph (I), as added by section 4(b)— (d) PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS.—Section bill S. 239, to require the Secretary of (1) in the fourth sentence, by inserting ‘‘, 212(n)(2)(C) of the Immigration and Nation- the Treasury to mint coins in recogni- and through the internet website of the De- ality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)(2)(C)) is amended – tion of Christa McAuliffe; as follows: partment of Labor, without charge.’’ after (1) in clause (i)— On page 4, line 13, strike ‘‘2020’’ and insert ‘‘Washington, D.C.’’; (A) in the matter preceding subclause (I), ‘‘2021’’. (2) in the fifth sentence, by striking ‘‘only by striking ‘‘a condition of paragraph (1)(B), On page 5, line 6, strike ‘‘2020’’ and insert for completeness’’ and inserting ‘‘for com- (1)(E), or (1)(F)’’ and inserting ‘‘a condition ‘‘2021’’. pleteness, clear indicators of fraud or mis- of paragraph (1)(B), (1)(E), (1)(F), (1)(H), or On page 5, line 7, strike ‘‘2020’’ and insert representation of material fact,’’; 1(I)’’; and ‘‘2021’’. (3) in the sixth sentence, by striking ‘‘or (B) in subclause (I), by striking ‘‘$1,000’’ obviously inaccurate’’ and inserting ‘‘, pre- and inserting ‘‘$3,000’’; SA 908. Mr. THUNE (for Mr. CRUZ (for sents clear indicators of fraud or misrepre- (2) in clause (ii)(I), by striking ‘‘$5,000’’ and himself and Mr. DURBIN)) proposed an sentation of material fact, or is obviously in- inserting ‘‘$15,000’’; amendment to the resolution S. Res. accurate’’; and (3) in clause (iii)(I), by striking ‘‘$35,000’’ 188, encouraging a swift transfer of (4) by adding at the end the following: ‘‘If and inserting ‘‘$100,000’’; and power by the military to a civilian-led the Secretary’s review of an application (4) in clause (vi)(III), by striking ‘‘$1,000’’ political authority in the Republic of identifies clear indicators of fraud or mis- and inserting ‘‘$3,000’’. the Sudan, and for other purposes; as representation of material fact, the Sec- (e) INITIATION OF INVESTIGATIONS.—Section retary may conduct an investigation and 212(n)(2)(G) of the Immigration and Nation- follows: hearing in accordance with paragraph (2).’’. ality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)(2)(G)) is amended— Strike all after the resolving clause and in- (b) ENSURING PREVAILING WAGES ARE FOR (1) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘In the case of sert the following: AREA OF EMPLOYMENT AND ACTUAL WAGES an investigation’’ in the second sentence and That the Senate— ARE FOR SIMILARLY EMPLOYED.—Section all that follows through the period at the (1) supports the Peace and 212(n)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nation- end of the clause; Security Council’s initial 2-week deadline ality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)(1)(A)) is amended— (2) in clause (ii), in the first sentence, by urging a swift transfer of power by the mili- (1) in clause (i), in the undesignated matter striking ‘‘and whose identity’’ and all that tary to a civilian-led political authority in following subclause (II), by striking ‘‘and’’ at follows through ‘‘failure or failures.’’ and in- Sudan that— the end; serting ‘‘the Secretary of Labor may conduct (A) has a civilian character and composi- (2) in clause (ii), by striking the period at an investigation into the employer’s compli- tion reflecting the will of the Declaration of the end and inserting ‘‘, and’’; and ance with the requirements under this sub- Freedom and Change Forces leading negotia- (3) by adding at the end the following: section.’’; tions on behalf of citizens; and ‘‘(iii) will ensure that— (3) in clause (iii), by striking the second (B) immediately begins a transparent proc- ‘‘(I) the actual wages or range identified in sentence; ess leading to credible elections and security clause (i) relate solely to employees having (4) by striking clauses (iv) and (v); sector reforms; substantially the same duties and respon- (5) by redesignating clauses (vi), (vii), and (2) calls on the ruling authorities in sibilities as the H–1B nonimmigrant in the (viii) as clauses (iv), (v), and (vi), respec- Sudan— geographical area of intended employment, tively; (A) to respect the right to freedom of asso- considering experience, qualifications, edu- (6) in clause (iv), as so redesignated— ciation and expression;

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:17 Jul 10, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A09JY6.028 S09JYPT1 July 9, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4735 (B) to protect the rights of opposition po- more than 2,000,000 deaths and led to the Whereas Lt. General Abdel-Fattah al- litical parties, journalists, human rights de- eventual independence of South Sudan in Burhan, former general inspector of the Su- fenders, religious minorities, nongovern- 2011; danese Armed Forces, who replaced Lt. Gen- mental organizations, and civic movements Whereas in 2003, President al-Bashir’s gov- eral Ibn Auf on April 12, 2019, as the chair- to operate without interference; ernment launched a ruthless crackdown man of the Transitional Military Council, (C) to lift the bureaucratic restrictions on, against insurgents and civilians in Darfur, said, on April 21, 2019, that the council was and facilitate access for, humanitarian relief which killed at least 300,000 Sudanese and ‘‘ready to hand over power tomorrow to a ci- operations; displaced 2,500,000 more people, prompting vilian government agreed by political (D) to introduce strong measures to create Congress and the Administration of Presi- forces’’; transparency and address the structural cor- dent George W. Bush, in 2004, to describe the Whereas the , para- ruption and kleptocracy of the state; Government of Sudan’s actions in Darfur as military forces led by Lt. General Moham- (E) to pursue accountability for serious genocide; med Hamdan Dagolo (also known as crimes and human rights abuses by former Whereas in 2011, when conflict resumed in ‘‘Hemmeti’’), a former leader who President al-Bashir’s regime and permit South Kordofan and Blue states, Presi- currently serves as the deputy chairman of international human rights monitors to de- dent al-Bashir’s government conducted in- the Transitional Military Council— ploy in Sudan to examine the allegations of discriminate bombings, raided villages, (1) have been implicated by the United Na- atrocities committed against protesters and raped and killed civilians, and waged a cam- tions Panel of Experts in widespread viola- civilians during 2019; paign of forced starvation in the Nuba Moun- tions of international humanitarian law that (F) to release remaining political prisoners tains region of South Kordofan that dis- human rights groups suggest may amount to and refrain from arbitrary arrest, detention, placed as many as 2,000,000 people; war crimes; and (2) have been accused of killing protesters and torture; and Whereas, while the fighting between gov- during the recent uprising; (G) to immediately restore Internet access ernment forces and insurgents in Darfur has Whereas, the African Union Peace and Se- and avoid further denial of access to suppress subsided since 2016, violent attacks against curity Council convened on April 30, 2019, the fundamental human right of freedom of civilians continue and humanitarian access and reiterated its conviction that ‘‘a mili- expression and association by Sudanese citi- remains restricted in some opposition tary-led transition in Sudan will be totally zens; stronghold areas of Darfur, South Kordofan, (3) urges the United States Government to unacceptable and contrary to the will and le- and Blue Nile; gitimate aspirations’’ of the Sudanese peo- lead in efforts that advance a peaceful trans- Whereas President al-Bashir remains the fer of power and a civilian-led transition pe- ple, expressed ‘‘deep regret’’ that the mili- subject of 2 outstanding arrest warrants tary had not stepped aside, and, noting nego- riod focused on creating the conditions under from the International Criminal Court based which timely democratic elections can be tiations were underway, demanded that the on charges that include 5 counts of crimes military hand over power to a civilian-led held that will meet international standards against humanity, 2 counts of war crimes, and be overseen by credible domestic and transitional authority within 60 days; and 3 counts of genocide; Whereas on June 3, 2019, the Rapid Support international electoral observers, and for the Whereas Sudan’s economic crisis risks peaceful resolution of Sudan’s conflicts; Forces led a brutal attack on peaceful pro- bringing the national economy to total col- testers, with the aim of eradicating a large (4) encourages the African Union and its lapse, further increasing the possibility of member states to continue supporting the sit-in site in front of Sudan’s military head- state failure and broader regional desta- quarters in , which resulted in Sudanese people’s aspirations for democracy, bilization that could threaten a wide array justice, and peace; more than 100 deaths, hundreds of injuries, of United States’ interests in East and North several cases of , indiscriminate beat- (5) expresses concern that the participation Africa and the Red Sea regions; in the transitional government of individuals ings and shooting of unarmed protesters, and Whereas the people of Sudan have engaged other human rights abuses; who have been implicated in possible war since December 2018 in a wave of peaceful crimes would undermine efforts to restore Whereas, the Khartoum massacre on June protests throughout the country, demanding 3, 2019, was followed by a nationwide crack- peace and democracy and pursue justice and an end to President al-Bashir’s brutal regime accountability in Sudan; down led by the Rapid Support Forces and pressing for a citizen-centered demo- against peaceful protesters and civilians that (6) emphasizes that until a transition to a cratic transition; credible civilian-led government that re- included— Whereas women have played a prominent (1) violent attacks on citizens in Khartoum flects the aspirations of the Sudanese people role in the protest movement and have and other major cities; is established, the process to consider remov- helped to bring about the ouster of former (2) the brutal detention of protesters and ing Sudan from the State Sponsor of Ter- President al-Bashir; opposition leaders like Yasir Arman, with rorism List, lifting any other remaining Whereas President al-Bashir’s government many disappearances of those detained; sanctions on Sudan, or normalizing relations unlawfully detained and tortured hundreds (3) the targeting of hospitals and medical with the Government of Sudan will continue of Sudanese during the protests, including workers caring for the injured; and to be suspended; and political leaders, journalists, doctors, union- (4) the overt attempts by Sudanese au- (7) stands in solidarity with the people of ists, and youth and women leaders, in gross thorities to cover-up the scale of their atroc- Sudan and their aspirations for a demo- violation of international civil and human ities by dumping bodies in the Nile river and cratic, participatory government. rights, some of whom remain in detention; shutting off access to the Internet; and Whereas on February 22, 2019, President al- Whereas, the international community has SA 909. Mr. THUNE (for Mr. CRUZ (for Bashir declared a year-long nationwide state widely condemned the actions of the Rapid himself and Mr. DURBIN)) proposed an of emergency and curfew, dissolved his gov- Support Forces, with the African Union’s amendment to the resolution S. Res. ernment, replaced state governors with sen- Peace and Security Council voting on June 6, 188, encouraging a swift transfer of ior security officers, and expanded the pow- 2019, to suspend Sudan from all African power by the military to a civilian-led ers of Sudan’s security forces; Union activities until a civilian government political authority in the Republic of Whereas when protesters in early April is formed, and ’ experts ap- the Sudan, and for other purposes; as 2019 challenged President al-Bashir’s decrees pointed by the United Nations Human Rights follows: and gathered in the tens of thousands in Council, on June 12, 2019, calling for an inde- pendent investigation into the violence Strike the preamble and insert the fol- front of Sudan’s military headquarters in Khartoum to call for an end to the al-Bashir against protesters in Sudan: Now, therefore, lowing: be it Whereas the nation of Sudan has endured regime, some elements of the security forces corrupt and brutal dictatorships for most of tried to disperse the crowds with violence, f its post-independence period since 1956; leading to clashes between internal security AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO forces and the military as some soldiers Whereas President Omar al-Bashir came to MEET power through a military coup in 1989, and sought to protect the protesters; for the next 3 decades his government was Whereas on April 11, 2019, after 5 days of Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I have 5 responsible for horrendous crimes in Sudan, mass protests in front of their headquarters, requests for committees to meet during especially in Darfur, South Kordofan, Blue Sudan’s military removed President al- today’s session of the Senate. They Nile, and in what is now the Republic of Bashir from office, and the country’s First have the approval of the Majority and South Sudan; Vice President and Minister of Defense, Lt. Minority leaders. Whereas the United States Government General Awad Ibn Auf— Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph designated Sudan as a State Sponsor of Ter- (1) announced that he would lead a Transi- 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Sen- rorism on August 12, 1993, for its support to tional Military Council that would rule the country for a 2-year period; ate, the following committees are au- international terrorist organizations and ex- thorized to meet during today’s session tremists, including elements of what would (2) suspended the Constitution; later be known as al Qaeda; (3) the dissolved the National Assembly; of the Senate: Whereas more than 2 decades of civil war and COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY between President al-Bashir’s government (4) imposed a 3-month State of Emergency The Committee on the Judiciary is and insurgents in southern Sudan resulted in and nightly curfew; authorized to meet during the session

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