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

115th Congress · Sponsored from Florida · Became law

What this bill does

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.

Key facts

Sponsor

Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-27]
Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-27]
Lead sponsor · Florida
R

Who funds the sponsor?

Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-27] introduced H.R. 2061. On Voterly you can see their top campaign donors from public Federal Election Commission records — individuals, PACs, and industry groups (follow the money) — and compare that with how they vote.

See Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-27]'s donors & voting record →

Campaign donations show who helps fund the sponsor's election; they are not the same as who drafted or lobbied for the bill text. Lobbying disclosures are separate public records.

Take a position & compare alignment

Agree or disagree with H.R. 2061? Go to the homepage to record your view and compare your stance with how your representatives vote. See Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-27]'s profile to vote on their bills and check your alignment % with the sponsor.

Read the official text on Congress.gov →

Frequently asked questions

What does H.R. 2061 do?

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 Kor…

Who sponsored H.R. 2061?

Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-27] (R) of Florida is the lead sponsor.

How do I find out who funds or lobbies for H.R. 2061?

Campaign-finance records (Federal Election Commission) show who funds the bill's sponsor. Separately, federal lobbying disclosures filed under the Lobbying Disclosure Act list the companies and lobbyists who reported lobbying on specific bills. Voterly links the sponsor's donors; lobbying records are public at the U.S. Senate and House lobbying databases.

Is H.R. 2061 now law?

Yes — the latest action indicates H.R. 2061 became law.