Passed Legislation

SAVE DARFUR

The conflict in Darfur has received considerable attention in the United States Congress, which has resulted in a number of legislative proposals. The following is a compilation of Darfur-related legislation that has been approved by Congress since the conflict began. Jump to the 110th Congress, the 109th Congress, or the 108th Congress.

Click on the bill or resolution number to read the legislation, and click on the vote results to see how your Representative or Senator voted.

110th Congress

Congressional Letter to President Bush regarding China's continuing violation of the Sudan arms embargo (243K PDF)

54 Members of Congress sent this bipartisan letter to President Bush, coordinated by Congressional Human Rights Caucus Co-Chair Representative James P. McGovern (D-MA), regarding China's continuing violation of the arms embargo and called on the president to raise this matter directly with Chinese President Hu when Bush is in Beijing and to push to strengthen the embargo.

Status: The letter had 54 signatories as of July 30, 2008

H.R. 2642: Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008

Purpose: This legislation provides the following funding to address the crisis in Darfur:

$400 million to support the United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission to Darfur, including tens of millions to train and equip UNAMID troops and police to speed up deployment
$420 million for International Disaster and Famine Assistance worldwide, a significat portion of which will go to Darfur's vulnerable civilians
$70 million to support preparations for the 2009 Sudanese National Elections
Funding for the Office of the Special Envoy to Sudan

Status: Approved by the House 416-12 on June 19, 2008
Approved by the Senate 92-6 on June 26, 2008
Signed into law by the President on June 30, 2008

S. 2271: Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007

Purpose: This legislation:

Authorizes a state or local government to divest state or local assets or prohibit investment of state or local assets in persons that are conducting or have direct investments in business operations in Sudan that include power production activities, mineral extraction activities, oil-related activities, or the production of military equipment, and
Requires that companies seeking U.S. government contracts certify that they are not conducting certain business operations in Sudan

Status: Approved by unanimous consent in the Senate on December 12, 2007
Approved by the House 411-0 on December 18, 2007
Signed into law by the President on December 31, 2007

Senate Resolution 470: Calling for a Comprehensive Regional Strategy for Chad, the Central African Republic, and Darfur

Purpose: This resolution calls on all parties to the conflict and key international stakeholders to:

Reengage in an inclusive and just peace process, and
Provide immediate and ongoing support for the peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Chad, and the Central African Republic

Status: Approved by unanimous consent in the Senate on April 14, 2008

Senate Resolution 455: Calling for peace in Darfur

Purpose: This resolution:

Calls upon the government of Sudan and other signatories and non-signatories to the May 5, 2006 Darfur Peace Agreement to cease hostilities, and
Urges all invited individuals and movements to attend the next round of peace negotiations without preconditions

Status: Approved by unanimous consent in the Senate on March 5, 2008

Senate Resolution 432: Urging the international community to provide the United Nations-African Union Mission in Sudan with essential tactical and utility helicopters

Purpose: This resolution:

Calls on the members of the international community , including the United States, that possess the capability to expeditiously provide the tactical and utility helicopters needed for the United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur to do so as soon as possible, and
Calls on the President to personally ask other heads of state to contribute aircraft and crews for the Darfur mission

Status: Approved by unanimous consent in the Senate on February 8, 2008

Senate Resolution 276: Calling for the urgent deployment of a robust and effective multilateral peacekeeping mission with sufficient size, resources, leadership, and mandate to protect civilians in Darfur, Sudan, and for efforts to strengthen the renewal of a just and inclusive peace process

Purpose: This resolution:

Urges the President of the United States to work with the UN Security Council and African Union to ensure deployment of the UN-AU peacekeeping force to protect civilians in Darfur,
Urges that the Government of Sudan face sanctions, an arms embargo, and a no-fly zone for Sudanese military flights over Darfur, for any failure to facilitate the UN-AU mission's deployment

Status: Approved by unanimous consent in the Senate on July 31, 2007

Senate Resolution 203: Calling on the Government of the People's Republic of China to use its unique influence and economic leverage to stop genocide and violence in Darfur, Sudan

Purpose: This resolution urges the Government of the People's Republic of China to:

Press the Government of Sudan to abide by its agreement to allow a UN peacekeeping force as called for by the UN Security Council, and
Call on all parties to dismantle militias operating in Darfur

Status: Approved by unanimous consent in the Senate on July 30, 2007

Senate Resolution 76: Calling on the United States Government and the international community to promptly develop, fund, and implement a comprehensive regional strategy in Africa to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian operations, contain and reduce violence, and contribute to conditions for sustainable peace in eastern Chad, northern Central African Republic, and Darfur, Sudan

Purpose: This resolution:

Calls upon the governments of Chad and Sudan to cease all support to each others' insurgent groups, and
Urges the UN Security Council to authorize a multilateral peacekeeping force to eastern Chad and northern Central African Republic to ensure effect protection of civilians

Status: Approved by unanimous consent in the Senate on April 11, 2007

H.R. 2764: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008

Purpose: In addition to prohibiting direct U.S. assistance to the Sudanese government, this legislation provides the following funding to address the crisis in Darfur:

$550 million to support the United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission to Darfur
$30 million for peacekeeping operations in Darfur
$430 million for International Disaster and Famine Assistance worldwide
$101 million to support economic development projects and democratization in Darfur and southern Sudan
$5 million for the placement of US aid workers in Eastern Chad to assist refugees from Darfur

Status: Approved by the Senate 76-17 on December 18, 2007
Approved by the House 272-142 on December 19, 2007
Signed into law by the President on December 26, 2007

H.R. 180: Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act

Purpose: This legislation:

States that it is U.S. policy to support state and local efforts to divest funds from, or restrict investments in, companies that conduct business operations in Sudan, and
Authorizes state or local divestment in such companies

Status: Approved by the House 418-1 on July 31, 2007

House Resolution 1011: Calling for a Comprehensive Regional Strategy for Chad and Darfur

Purpose: This resolution calls on President Bush and the U.N. Security Council to:

Implement sanctions against the Sudanese government for its actions in Darfur and its destabilizing effects in Chad, and
Continue U.S. humanitarian assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons in Darfur, Chad, and the Central African Republic

Status: Approved by the House 371-0 on May 5, 2008

House Resolution 740: Condemning in the strongest terms the attacks on African Union peacekeepers that occurred in Haskanita, Darfur, Sudan, on September 29, 2007

Purpose: This resolution:

Condemns the September 2007 attacks on African Union peacekeepers in Haskanita, Darfur, Sudan, and
Expresses readiness to support efforts to bring to justice those individuals responsible for the attacks and to dismantle the networks that carry out such attacks

Status: Approved by voice vote in the House on October 29, 2007

House Resolution 726: Calling on the President of the United States and international community to take immediate steps to respond to and prevent acts of rape and sexual violence against women and girls in Darfur, Sudan, eastern Chad, and the Central African Republic

Purpose: This resolution calls for:

The President of the United States to develop a Women and Girls of Darfur initiative to improve assistance to victims and potential victims of rape in Darfur, Sudan, eastern Chad, and the Central Africa Republic, and
A fully funded and equipped United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force to be deployed to Darfur, including an adequate number of female troops and police to properly manage incidents of rape and sexual violence

Status: Approved by voice vote in the House on October 29, 2007

House Resolution 573: Recognizing and commending the efforts of the United States public and advocacy groups to raise awareness about and help end the worsening humanitarian crisis and genocide in Darfur, Sudan

Purpose: This resolution supports:

The efforts of the various local schools, communities, and faith-based, human rights, humanitarian, and youth-led advocacy organizations that have dedicated their time and energy to help end the Darfur genocide, and
The efforts of the United States to work with its partners in the international community to support a negotiated settlement to the Darfur conflict while implementing a more robust set of multilateral measures against those individuals who act as obstructionists to peace in Darfur

Status: Approved by the House 366-0 on October 29, 2007

House Resolution 22: Calling on the Government of the People's Republic of China to use its unique influence and economic leverage to stop genocide and violence in Darfur, Sudan

Purpose: This resolution calls upon the government of the People's Republic of China to:

Condemn the atrocities taking place in Darfur,
And end military and economic assistance to the government of Sudan until Sudan stops civilian attacks and engages in peaceful negotiations

Status: Approved by the House 410-0 on June 5, 2007

House Concurrent Resolution 7: Calling on the League of Arab States and each Member State individually to acknowledge the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan and to step up their efforts to stop the genocide in Darfur

Purpose: This resolution urges the League of Arab States and each Member state to:

Declare the systematic, rape, and displacement of Darfurians a genocide, and
Pass a resolution to support and accept an United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force, enforce the ceasefire, protect civilians, and ensure humanitarian access to Darfur

Status: Approved by the House 425-1 on April 25, 2007;
Awaiting Senate consideration.

House Resolution 1351: Expressing support for the United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and calling upon United Nations Member States and the international community to contribute the resources necessary to ensure the success of UNAMID, including troops and essential tactical and utility helicopters

Purpose: This resolution:

Condemns the recent attack on UNAMID peacekeepers;
Calls on the Government of Sudan to ensure those responsible for the attack are brought to justice;
Deplores the efforts of the regime in Khartoum to manipulate and obstruct the deployment of a credible peacekeeping force;
Urges members of the international community, including the United States, that posses the capability to provide the tactical and utility helicopters needed for the United Nations and African Union peacekeeping mission;
Urges the President to personally intervene by contacting other heads of government and asking them to contribute the aircraft and crews for the Darfur mission; and
Urges the Department of State to organize a special meeting of the United Nations Security Council, the Friends of UNAMID working group, and the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations to resolve outstanding force resource and equipment issues

Status: Approved by voice vote in the House on July 30, 2008.

House Resolution 1370: Calling on the Government of the People’s Republic of China to immediately end abuses of the human rights of its citizens, to cease repression of Tibetan and Uighur citizens, and to end its support for the Governments of Sudan and Burma to ensure that the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games take place in an atmosphere that honors the Olympic traditions of freedom and openness

Purpose: This resolution calls on China to:

End its political, economic, and military support for the Government of Sudan until the violent attacks in Darfur have ceased and the Sudanese Government has allowed for the full deployment of the United Nations – African Union Mission peacekeeping force in Darfur;

Status: Approved by the House 419-1, 1 present on July 30, 2008

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109th Congress

Senate Resolution 631: Urging the Government of Sudan and the international community to implement the agreement for a peacekeeping force under the command and control of the United Nations in Darfur

Purpose: This resolution:

Declares that the deployment of a United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force under UN command is the minimum acceptable international effort to protect the people of Darfur, and
Calls upon the Government of Sudan to work with the United Nations and international community to deploy peacekeepers to Darfur

Status: Approved in the Senate by unanimous consent on December 9, 2006

Senate Resolution 559: Calling on the President to take immediate steps to help stop the violence in Darfur

Purpose: This resolution:

Condemns the Government of Sudan's violation of the 2006 Darfur Peace Agreement,
Calls upon the United Nations to deploy a peacekeeping force to Darfur as quickly as practicable and begin consideration of sanctions against the Government of Sudan as called for by previous Security Council Resolutions.

Status: Approved in the Senate by unanimous consent on September 13, 2006

Senate Resolution 388: Urging the Government of National Unity of Sudan and the Government of South Sudan to implement fully the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that was signed on January 9, 2005

Purpose: This resolution:

Urges the United States Government to maintain pressure on the Government of National Unity to implement the Agreement and resolve the Darfur crisis, and
Urges the Government of National Unity to use the Agreement as the basis for a peaceful resolution of the conflicts in Darfur and other areas of Sudan

Status: Approved in the Senate by unanimous consent on March 2, 2006

Senate Resolution 383: Calling on the President to take immediate steps to help improve the security situation in Darfur, Sudan, with an emphasis on civilian protection

Purpose: This resolution:

Calls on all parties involved in the Darfur conflict to engage in good-faith negotiations to end the conflict, and
Calls on the Government of Sudan to withdraw all military aircraft from the region, disarm the janjaweed, and cease support for rebels from Chad

Status: Approved in the Senate by unanimous consent on March 2, 2006

Senate Resolution 202: Urging the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army to fully implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of January 9, 2005

Purpose: This resolution:

Urges the U.S. Government to maintain sanctions on the Government of Sudan and to renew efforts to implement additional sanctions through the UN Security Council until peace in Darfur is achieved and those responsible for genocide and other crimes are brought to justice, and
Supports the expansion of the African Union's mission in Darfur and U.S. humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to Darfur

Status: Approved in the Senate by unanimous consent on July 19, 2005

Senate Resolution 186: Affirming the importance of a national weekend of prayer for the victims of genocide and crimes against humanity in Darfur, Sudan

Purpose: This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that:

The weekend of July 15-17, 2005, should be designated as a National Weekend of Prayer and Reflection for the people of Darfur, Sudan, and
Urges U.S. churches, synagogues, mosques, and religious institutions to consider the people of Darfur in their activities

Status: Approved in the Senate by unanimous consent on July 1, 2005

H.R. 1268: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief, 2005

Purpose: This legislation provides:

$50 million for the African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur
$40 million for international disaster and famine assistance in Darfur
$240 million to address emergency food needs in Darfur and elsewhere in Africa
$48 million for assistance to Darfuri refugees

Status: Approved by the House 368-58, 1 present on May 5, 2005
Approved by the Senate 100-0 on May 10, 2005
Signed into law by the President on May 11, 2005

H.R. 3127: Darfur Peace and Accountability Act of 2006

Purpose: This legislation:

Allows the President to impose travel restrictions and financial sanctions on individuals complicit in the genocide in Darfur, and
Takes steps to deny the government of Sudan access to oil revenues until the Government of Sudan has honored its commitments to cease attacks on civilians, disarm the janjaweed, and allow for the safe and voluntary return of refugees

Status: Approved by the House 416-3 on April 5, 2006
Approved in the Senate by unanimous consent on September 21, 2006
Signed into law by the President on October 13, 2006

H.R. 3057: Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2006

Purpose: This legislation:

Prohibits direct U.S. government assistance to the Government of Sudan, and
Provides $70 million in economic and democratic development assistance for Darfur and Southern Sudan

Status: Approved by the House 358-39 on November 4, 2005
Approved by the Senate 91-0 on November 10, 2005
Signed into law by the President on November 14, 2005

H.R. 1268: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief, 2005

Purpose: This legislation provides:

$50 million for the African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur
$40 million for international disaster and famine assistance in Darfur
$240 million to address emergency food needs in Darfur and elsewhere in Africa
$48 million for assistance to Darfuri refugees

Status: Approved by the House 368-58, 1 present on May 5, 2005
Approved by the Senate 100-0 on May 10, 2005
Signed into law by the President on May 11, 2005

House Resolution 992: Supporting the appointment of a Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan

Purpose: This resolution:

Supports the appointment of an adequately staffed Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan to develop and coordinate U.S. policy towards Sudan, and
Urges that the Special Envoy's mandate include deterring further escalation of violence and humanitarian disaster in Darfur, facilitating the development of an international peacekeeping mission to Darfur, and coordinating efforts towards achieving accountability for the crimes committed in Darfur

Status: Approved by the House 414-3 on September 26, 2006

House Resolution 723: Calling on the President to take immediate steps to help improve the security situation in Darfur, Sudan, with a specific emphasis on civilian protection

Purpose: This resolution:

Calls on the Government of Sudan to comply with UN Security Council Mandates, facilitate UN peacekeeper deployment to Darfur, withdraw all military personnel from the region, and disarm the janjaweed militias, and
Urges the President to propose that NATO implement an interim civilian protection force, and support full funding for the UN peacekeeping force in Sudan

Status: Approved by the House 412-7 on September 26, 2006

House Resolution 333: Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Weekend of Prayer and Reflection for Darfur, Sudan

Purpose: This resolution:

Supports the goals and ideals of a National Weekend of Prayer and Reflection for Darfur, Sudan, and
Urges all churches, synagogues, mosques, and religious institutions in the United States to consider the issue of Darfur in their activities

Status: Approved by the House 364-2 on July 11, 2005

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108th Congress

S. 2781: Comprehensive Peace in Sudan Act of 2004

Purpose: This legislation:

Authorizes humanitarian assistance to address the crisis in Darfur, Sudan and eastern Chad, and
Directs the President to implement specified sanctions in support of peace in Darfur, including blocking the assets of senior Sudanese officials

Status: Approved in the Senate by unanimous consent on September 23, 2004
Approved in the House by voice vote on November 19, 2004
Signed into law by the President on December 23, 2004

Senate Concurrent Resolution 133: Declaring genocide in Darfur, Sudan

Purpose: This resolution:

States that Congress declares that the atrocities unfolding in Darfur, Sudan are genocide, and urges the Administration to refer to such atrocities as genocide, and
Declares that the Government of Sudan has violated the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide

Status: Approved in the Senate by unanimous consent on July 22, 2004

H.R. 4818: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005

Purpose: This legislation:

Prohibits direct U.S. assistance to the Government of Sudan
Provides $75 million in funds for the African Union peacekeeping operation
Provides $18 million in humanitarian assistance for Darfur

Status: Approved by the House 344-51, 1 Present on November 20, 2004
Approved by the Senate 65-30 on November 20, 2004
Signed into law by the President on December 8, 2004

H.R. 4613: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2005

Purpose: This legislation:

Provides $70 million in international disaster and famine assistance to respond to the humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan and in Chad, and
Provides $25 million in assistance to refugees from the Darfur region of Sudan and in Chad

Status: Approved by the House 410-12 on July 22, 2004
Approved by the Senate 96-0 on July 22, 2004
Signed by the President on August 5, 2004

House Concurrent Resolution 467: Declaring genocide in Darfur, Sudan

Purpose: This resolution:

States that Congress declares that the atrocities unfolding in Darfur, Sudan are genocide, and urges the Administration to refer to such atrocities as genocide, and
Declares that the Government of Sudan has violated the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide

Status: Approved by the House 422-0 on July 22, 2004

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