[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 121 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 121
Establishing the Senate Human Rights Commission.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 10, 2025
Mr. Tillis (for himself and Mr. Coons) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Rules and
Administration
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Establishing the Senate Human Rights Commission.
Whereas the Senate Human Rights Caucus, which was founded in 2014, and is
currently co-chaired by Senator Tillis and Senator Coons, has created an
outlet and opportunity to establish a formalized forum for human rights
discussion and engagement in the Senate;
Whereas the Senate Human Rights Caucus has brought together critical thinkers
and first-hand experts on issues affecting human rights throughout the
world to better inform the actions of Congress;
Whereas, by establishing a commission in the Senate to put testimony regarding
human rights in the record, all of the Federal Government and the public
can access this information and insight; and
Whereas the Senate Human Rights Commission would continue the work of the Senate
Human Rights Caucus and elevate the need to sustain and support the
fundamental access to human rights across the world: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved,
SECTION 1. SENATE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION.
(a) Commission Establishment.--
(1) In general.--There is established in the Senate the
Senate Human Rights Commission (in this section referred to as
the ``Commission'').
(2) Duties.--The Commission shall--
(A) serve as a forum for bipartisan discussion of
international human rights issues and promotion of
internationally recognized human rights as enshrined in
the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human
Rights;
(B) monitor the state of human rights across the
world and raise awareness on critical human rights
violations through conducting regular briefings,
hearings, and private roundtables;
(C) maintain records of all meetings and
activities; and
(D) collaborate with congressional committees and
other congressional entities (including the Tom Lantos
Human Rights Commission), the executive branch, human
rights organizations, civil society organizations,
nongovernmental organizations, and think tanks to
promote human rights initiatives within the Senate.
(3) Limitations.--The Commission shall not--
(A) have legislative jurisdiction;
(B) have authority to take legislative action on
any bill or resolution; or
(C) encroach upon the jurisdiction of any standing,
select, or special committee of the Senate.
(4) Membership.--
(A) In general.--The Commission shall be composed
of 10 members of the Senate, who shall be appointed,
and may be removed, by the President of the Senate.
(B) Selection.--The President of the Senate shall--
(i) after consultation with the majority
leader, select 5 members from the majority
party of the Senate, 1 of whom shall be
designated as a co-chairperson in accordance
with paragraph (5)(A)(i); and
(ii) after consultation with the minority
leader, select 5 members from the minority
party of the Senate, 1 of whom shall be
designated as a co-chairperson in accordance
with paragraph (5)(A)(ii).
(C) Term.--The term of a member shall end on the
last day of the Congress during which the member is
appointed by the President of the Senate, unless the
member ceases being a member of the Senate, leaves the
Commission, or is removed.
(D) Vacancy.--
(i) In general.--A vacancy on the
Commission shall be filled in the same manner
in which the original appointment was made.
(ii) Resignation.--A member of the
Commission wishing to resign from the
Commission shall submit a written notification
to the President of the Senate.
(5) Co-chairpersons of the commission.--
(A) In general.--Two members of the Commission
shall be appointed to serve as co-chairpersons of the
Commission, as follows:
(i) One co-chairperson shall be appointed,
and may be removed, by the majority leader of
the Senate.
(ii) One co-chairperson shall be appointed,
and may be removed, by the minority leader of
the Senate.
(B) Term.--The term of a member as a co-chairperson
of the Commission shall end on the last day of the
Congress during which the member is appointed as a co-
chairperson, unless the member ceases being a member of
the Senate, leaves the Commission, resigns from the
position of co-chairperson, or is removed.
(C) Publication.--Appointments under this paragraph
shall be printed in the Congressional Record.
(D) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the position of co-
chairperson of the Commission shall be filled in the
same manner in which the original appointment was made.
(b) Commission Staff.--
(1) Compensation and expenses.--
(A) In general.--The Commission is authorized, from
funds made available under subsection (c), to--
(i) employ such staff in the manner and at
a rate not to exceed that allowed for employees
of a committee of the Senate under section
105(e)(3) of the Legislative Branch
Appropriation Act, 1968 (2 U.S.C. 4575(e)(3));
and
(ii) incur such expenses as may be
necessary or appropriate to carry out its
duties and functions.
(B) Expenses.--
(i) In general.--Payments made under this
subsection for receptions, meals, and food-
related expenses shall be authorized only for
actual expenses incurred by the Commission in
the course of conducting its official duties
and functions.
(ii) Treatment of payments.--Amounts
received as reimbursement for expenses
described in clause (i) shall not be reported
as income, and the expenses so reimbursed shall
not be allowed as a deduction under the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(2) Designation of professional staff.--
(A) In general.--Each co-chairperson of the
Commission may designate 1 professional staff member.
(B) Compensation of senate employees.--In the case
of the compensation of any professional staff member
designated under subparagraph (A) who is an employee of
a Member of the Senate or of a committee of the Senate
and who has been designated to perform services for the
Commission, the professional staff member shall
continue to be paid by the Member or committee, as the
case may be, but the account from which the
professional staff member is paid shall be reimbursed
for the services of the professional staff member
(including agency contributions when appropriate) out
of funds made available under subsection (c).
(C) Duties.--Each professional staff member
designated under subparagraph (A) shall--
(i) serve all members of the Commission;
and
(ii) carry out such other functions as the
co-chairperson designating the professional
staff member may specify.
(c) Payment of Expenses.--
(1) In general.--The expenses of the Commission shall be
paid from the Contingent Fund of the Senate, out of the account
of Miscellaneous Items, upon vouchers approved jointly by the
co-chairpersons (except that vouchers shall not be required for
the disbursement of salaries of employees who are paid at an
annual rate of pay).
(2) Amounts available.--For any fiscal year, not more than
$200,000 shall be expended for employees and expenses.
(d) Sunset.--This section shall cease to have force or effect on
January 1, 2029.
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