Pakistan Democracy Act | ChamberLight

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS

House BillHR 2311International Affairs

Pakistan Democracy Act

INTRO MAR 24· LAST ACTION MAR 24

READING

5MIN

COSPONSORS

READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL

NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST

Introduced only

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 / 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

Voters should care about this bill because it reflects U.S. commitment to human rights and democratic principles globally. If it becomes law, it would signal a strong U.S. stance against political oppression in Pakistan, potentially impacting the lives of individuals targeted by the sanctions and influencing Pakistan's internal political landscape.

Without this bill, the U.S. might continue its current approach to Pakistan without explicitly mandating sanctions on specific individuals for human rights abuses related to political persecution. The bill's passage could lead to increased diplomatic pressure and tangible consequences for those identified, while its failure would mean the U.S. would not have this specific tool to address these issues in Pakistan.

KEY PROVISIONS

4AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Requires the Secretary of State and Secretary of the Treasury to impose sanctions on General Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, within 180 days of the bill's enactment.

This provision directly targets a high-ranking military official, indicating a strong U.S. stance against specific actions and individuals in Pakistan.

PROVISION 02

Authorizes the President to identify and impose sanctions, including denying U.S. visas and entry, on other individuals in the Pakistani government or military involved in the wrongful persecution of political opponents or undermining democracy.

This creates a broader mechanism to hold accountable a wider range of officials contributing to human rights abuses and anti-democratic actions in Pakistan.

PROVISION 03

Allows the President to waive the sanctions on General Asim Munir if military rule ends, civilian-led democracy is restored, and all wrongfully detained political detainees are released.

This provides an incentive for the Pakistani government to address the underlying issues of democracy and human rights to avoid or lift U.S. sanctions.

PROVISION 04

Requires the Secretary of State to brief Congress within 90 days of enactment regarding any individuals identified for sanctions and the specific facts justifying those determinations.

This ensures congressional oversight and transparency regarding the implementation of the sanctions and the evidence supporting them.

SPONSORSHIP

1 + 17

COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 35%

DEM 14 REP 3 IND 0

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

MAR 24

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

MAR 24

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.

INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeHouse Bill

NumberHR 2311

Congress119th

StatusIn Committee

IntroducedMar 24, 2025

Last actionMar 24, 2025

READER REACTIONS

OVERALL SENTIMENT

No reactions yet. Be the first to weigh in.

Discussion

Loading comments...

Call my reps

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAR 24, 2025

House BillHR 2311International Affairs

Pakistan Democracy Act

INTRODUCED MAR 24, 2025· LAST ACTION MAR 24, 2025

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

5 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps Congress.gov

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Requires the Secretary of State and Secretary of the Treasury to impose sanctions on General Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, within 180 days of the bill's enactment.

This provision directly targets a high-ranking military official, indicating a strong U.S. stance against specific actions and individuals in Pakistan.

high

This creates a broader mechanism to hold accountable a wider range of officials contributing to human rights abuses and anti-democratic actions in Pakistan.

med

Allows the President to waive the sanctions on General Asim Munir if military rule ends, civilian-led democracy is restored, and all wrongfully detained political detainees are released.

This provides an incentive for the Pakistani government to address the underlying issues of democracy and human rights to avoid or lift U.S. sanctions.

med

Requires the Secretary of State to brief Congress within 90 days of enactment regarding any individuals identified for sanctions and the specific facts justifying those determinations.

This ensures congressional oversight and transparency regarding the implementation of the sanctions and the evidence supporting them.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

180 days after enactment

Secretary of State and Secretary of the Treasury to impose sanctions on General Asim Munir.

180 days after enactment

President to identify key individuals for sanctions.

90 days after enactment

Secretary of State to brief Congress on identified foreign persons and justifications.

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

TYPE	AMOUNT	WHO
administrative	Ineligibility for U.S. visas, denial of admission to the United States, revocation of current U.S. visas. (Implied asset freezes through Global Magnitsky Act, but not explicitly detailed within this bill excerpt).	General Asim Munir and other foreign persons knowingly engaged in wrongful persecution, imprisonment of political opponents, or undermining democracy in Pakistan.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Sanctions: Actions taken by one country against another, or against specific individuals, to pressure them to change their policies. These can include restricting travel, freezing assets, or limiting trade.
Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act: A U.S. law that allows the President to impose sanctions on individuals anywhere in the world who are responsible for human rights violations or significant corruption.
Inadmissible: Not allowed to enter the United States. If someone is inadmissible, they cannot receive a visa or be granted entry.
Waiver: An official decision to set aside a requirement or rule. In this case, the President can choose not to apply sanctions if certain conditions are met.
Due process of law: The legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights that are owed to a person. It ensures fair treatment through the judicial system.
Foreign person: Any individual who is not a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States.
Alien: A legal term for any person who is not a citizen or national of the United States.

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

MAR 24, 25

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

MAR 24, 25

INTROREFERRAL

READER REACTIONS

0 COMMENTS

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

What do you think?

0 votes

Discussion

Loading comments...

MORE INFORMATION

Committee Referrals

Judiciary CommitteeReferred

Mar 24, 2025

house

Search

Pakistan Democracy Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

Pakistan Democracy Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion

MORE INFORMATION

Committee Referrals