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H.R. 390: Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2018

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H.R. 390: Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2018

115th Congress · introduced 2017-01-10 · International Affairs · Latest: Became Public Law No: 115-300.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2017-01-10 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 115-300. (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

Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2018

Plain summary

Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2018 This bill authorizes U.S. government agencies to provide humanitarian, stabilization, and recovery assistance for nationals and residents of Iraq and Syria, in particular ethnic and minority individuals at risk of persecution or war crimes. It also authorizes the agencies to assist in prosecuting those suspected of such crimes. (Sec. 5) The Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) may provide financial and technical assistance to support entities, including nongovernmental organizations with expertise in international criminal investigations and law, to address crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Iraq. The assistance includes: conducting criminal investigations, developing indigenous investigative and judicial skills to adjudicate cases consistent with due process and respect for the rule of law, and collecting and preserving evidence for use in prosecutions. The State Department shall encourage foreign governments to identify and prosecute ISIS members suspected of committing such crimes. (Sec. 6) The State Department shall identify: threats of persecution, crimes against humanity, and war crimes against Iraqi or Syrian minority religious or ethnic groups; such groups that are at risk of forced migration and the primary reasons for such risk; humanitarian, stabilization, and recovery needs of these individuals; and entities, including faith-based entities, that are providing such assistance and the extent of U.S. assistance to or through such entities. The State Department and USAID may support entities that are providing aid to the vulnerable groups. (Sec. 7) The State Department shall report to Congress its efforts to implement this bill, as well as an assessment of the feasibility and advisability of prosecuting ISIS members.

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

Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2018

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] · 47 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 390, Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act of 2017 (2017-05-01); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 390, Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act of 2017 (2017-09-22)

Cosponsors on this site

Pete Sessions (R-TX), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL), Randy K. Weber, Sr. (R-TX), David Schweikert (R-AZ), Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Michael T. McCaul (R-TX), J. French Hill (R-AR), Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Adam B. Schiff (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Darrell Issa (R-CA), Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] reported raising $797,217 (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

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-hr390 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115