Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Pages S1542-S1543]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
______
SENATE RESOLUTION 80--ESTABLISHING THE JOHN S. MCCAIN III HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION
Mr. COONS (for himself, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Markey, Mr. Rubio, Mr.
Merkley, and Ms. Sinema) submitted the following resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration:
S. Res. 80
Resolved,
SECTION 1. JOHN S. MCCAIN III HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION.
(a) Commission Establishment.--
(1) In general.--There is established in the Senate the
John S. McCain III 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
Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
(B) raise awareness of international human rights
violations through regular briefings and hearings; and
(C) collaborate with the executive branch, human rights
entities, and nongovernmental organizations to promote human
rights initiatives within the Senate.
(3) Membership.--Any Senator may become a member of the
Commission by submitting a written statement to that effect
to the Commission.
(4) 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
[[Page S1543]]
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.
____________________
