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H.R. 2061: North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017

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H.R. 2061: North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017

115th Congress · introduced 2017-04-06 · International Affairs · Latest: Became Public Law No: 115-198.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2017-04-06 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-27] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 531 (2017): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, HR2061 (2017-09-25), Passed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 115-198. (final step reached)
  5. 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

North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017

Plain summary

North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017 (Sec. 4) This bill provides for increased dissemination of news and information access to North Korea. The North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 is amended to include news rebroadcasting in supported broadcasting to North Korea. (Sec. 5) The President may: (1) distribute or provide grants to distribute information receiving devices, electronically readable devices, and other informational sources into North Korea; and (2) provide grants to develop and distribute new products or methods to allow North Koreans easier access to outside information. The Broadcasting Board of Governors may broadcast American, Korean, Chinese, and other popular music, television, movies, and popular cultural references as part of its programming. The board shall broadcast to North Korea in the Korean language information on rights, laws, and freedoms afforded through the North Korean Constitution and through human rights treaties or other international agreements. The bill urges that information access efforts should include religious communities and be coordinated with the Office of International Religious Freedom. (Sec. 7) The President may provide grants for research on North Korea's denial of human rights. The bill extends through FY2022: (1) programs that promote human rights, democracy, the rule of law, and the development of a market economy in North Korea; (2) actions to promote freedom of information in North Korea; and (3) humanitarian assistance to North Koreans who are outside of North Korea without the permission of the government. The bill extends through 2022 annual reporting requirements regarding: (1) freedom of information, (2) North Korean human rights issues, (3) U.S. humanitarian assistance inside North Korea and to North Koreans outside of North Korea, and (4) the number of North Koreans seeking refugee status or political asylum in the United States.

Congressional Research Service summary (House agreed to Senate amendment without amendment), 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

North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (House agreed to Senate amendment without amendment)

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The strongest published arguments

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

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-27] · 16 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 2061, North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017 (2017-08-23)

Cosponsors on this site

Brad Sherman (D-CA), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Darrell Issa (R-CA), Bradley Scott Schneider (D-IL), Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-AS)

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (2)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Rulemaking
The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong115-hr2061 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115