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S. 2937: BURMA Act of 2021

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S. 2937: BURMA Act of 2021

117th Congress · introduced 2021-10-05 · International Affairs · Latest: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6920-6921)

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2021-10-05 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6920-6921) 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

BURMA Act of 2021

Plain summary

Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2021 or the BURMA Act of 2021 This bill imposes sanctions pertaining to Burma (Myanmar) and addresses related issues. The President must impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions on certain foreign persons (i.e., an individual or entity), including those that (1) knowingly operate in Burma's defense sector, (2) are responsible for or complicit in undermining Burma's democratic processes, or (3) are senior leaders in Burma's military or government. The Department of the Treasury must prohibit or impose strict conditions on certain accounts used to facilitate transactions for such sanctioned persons. The President may impose sanctions on Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise if such sanctions would support certain objectives, including reducing the Burmese military's ability to undermine democracy in Burma. The President may also prohibit imports of precious and semiprecious gemstones from Burma. Before removing certain foreign persons from a list of specially designated nationals and blocked persons (commonly known as the SDN list), the President must certify to Congress that the person in question has not knowingly engaged in certain activities, such as supporting terrorism. The bill authorizes Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development activities in Burma and the surrounding region to support democracy activists, humanitarian assistance, and reconciliation efforts. The State Department may (1) continue to assist organizations supporting political prisoners in Burma, and (2) provide assistance to entities investigating crimes against humanity. The President must direct U.S. representatives to the United Nations to vote and advocate for certain actions related to Burma, such as cutting off assistance to Burma's government.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate), 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)

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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: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD] · 27 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Patty Murray (D-WA), Gary C. Peters (D-MI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael F. Bennet (D-CO), Cory A. Booker (D-NJ), John W. Hickenlooper (D-CO), Raphael G. Warnock (D-GA), Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-NY), Brian Schatz (D-HI)

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-cong117-s2937 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong117 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong117