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H.R. 8641: Jamal Khashoggi Press Freedom Accountability Act of 2020

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H.R. 8641: Jamal Khashoggi Press Freedom Accountability Act of 2020

116th Congress · introduced 2020-10-20 · International Affairs · Latest: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2020-10-20 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-28] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  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

Jamal Khashoggi Press Freedom Accountability Act of 2020

Plain summary

Jamal Khashoggi Press Freedom Accountability Act of 2020 This bill establishes measures to protect the human rights of journalists. Specifically, the bill (1) expands the scope of required reports related to violations of the human rights of journalists, (2) requires the President to impose certain property- and visa-blocking sanctions on persons responsible for gross violations of the human rights of journalists, and (3) prohibits certain foreign assistance to a governmental entity of a country if an official acting under authority of the entity has committed a gross violation of human rights against a journalist.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), 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

Jamal Khashoggi Press Freedom Accountability Act of 2020

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Alternatives

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

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-28] · 19 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

James P. McGovern (D-MA), Mark Takano (D-CA), Al Green (D-TX), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-28] reported raising $10.4 million (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 (1)
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).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong116-hr8641 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong116 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong116