S. 1472: Human Rights Enforcement Act of 2009

111th Congress · introduced 2009-07-20 · Crime and Law Enforcement · Latest: Became Public Law No: 111-122.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2009-07-20 · official record
Who proposed it: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 977 (2009): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, S1472 (2009-12-15), Passed. See all
Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 111-122. (final step reached)
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Human Rights Enforcement Act of 2009

Plain summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on November 6, 2009. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Human Rights Enforcement Act of 2009 - Eliminates the Office of Special Investigations within the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ). Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish, within 90 days after the enactment of this Act, a section within the Criminal Division of DOJ with responsibility for the enforcement of laws against suspected participants in serious human rights offenses; and (2) consult with the Secretaries of Homeland Security and State in taking appropriate legal action against such individuals. Defines "serious human rights offenses" to include genocide, torture, war crimes, and the use or recruitment of child soldiers. Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) to punish a conspiracy to commit genocide in the same manner as completed act of genocide; (2) eliminate the limitation period for prosecuting crimes of genocide; and (3) include genocide and recruitment of child soldiers as predicates for the crime of providing material support to terrorists. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to broaden the basis for rendering aliens participating in genocide inadmissible.

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Human Rights Enforcement Act of 2009

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] · 3 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: S. 1472, Human Rights Enforcement Act of 2009 (2009-12-02); CBO cost estimate: S. 1472, Human Rights Enforcement Act of 2009 (2009-12-02)

Cosponsors on this site

Sponsor's campaign money: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] reported raising $84,084 (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

Recorded votes

House roll call 977 (2009): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, S1472 (2009-12-15): Passed

Words on this page, explained (2)

Appropriation: Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Securities: Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-111s1472.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/111/s>

Record fed-us-cong111-s1472 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong111 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong111