Legislation and Policy

One of the best ways that you can work to advance the anti-genocide agenda is by encouraging your Representatives and Senators to support key legislation. GI-NET actively tracks legislation before the U.S. Congress that can help to end to the ongoing conflicts in Burma, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan. Learn more about current legislation and what you can do below.

Last updated: January 5, 2010

Burma

Urge your Representative to Co-sponsor H.Res. 898 in Support of a UNSC Commission of Inquiry

Congressmen Peter King (R-NY) and Joseph Crowley (D-NY) have introduced a bill urging President Obama to support a global arms embargo and a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Commission of Inquiry into crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by the Burmese regime against its civilian population. A Commission of Inquiry is an important first step toward holding the Burmese junta accountable for committing atrocities. Take action: Urge your Representative to co-sponsor this bill. Learn more.

Congo

Urge your Representative to Co-sponsor H.R.4128 to Target Conflict Minerals

Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA) introduced the Conflict Minerals Trade Act to address the sale of minerals (tungsten, tantalum and tin) helping to fuel the conflict in eastern Congo. The bill would require facilities that process these minerals to undergo an audit to determine whether the minerals processed at the facility originate from Congo and whether they are conflict or conflict-free. The bill would then require disclosure of the audit results for imports into the United States. Urge your Representative to co-sponsor this bill. Learn more.

Urge your Senator to Co-sponsor and Support Strengthening Amendments to S.891

Introduced by Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS), Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Russell Feingold (D-WI), the Congo Conflict Minerals Act seeks to shed light on minerals from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that help to fund the conflict. Additional support for the bill is needed, as well as support for an amendment that would require companies to undergo an independent audit to increase accountability. Please co-sponsor this bill and tell Banking Committee Chairman, Senator Dodd, that you support an amendment to require an independent audit of company supply chains that will help ensure that the minerals they use are not fueling armed groups in eastern DRC. Urge your Senator to co-sponsor this bill and support strengthening amendments. Learn more.

Sudan/Congo

Urge your Representative to Co-sponsor H.R.2478 in Support of Stopping the Lord's Resistance Army

Congressmen Jim McGovern (D-MA), Ed Royce (R-CA) and Brad Miller (D-NC) introduced a bill to support stabilization and lasting peace in northern Uganda and areas affected by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). As you may know, the LRA has been involved in violence in eastern Congo and Sudan. The bill encourages development of a regional strategy to support multilateral efforts to successfully protect civilians and eliminate the threat posed by LRA. Urge your Representative to co-sponsor this bill. Learn more.