S.Amdt. 6146

This amendment aims to add a new section to bill S. 4784 to create the Senate Human Rights and Democracy Commission. The purpose is to transition the work of the Senate Human Rights Caucus into a formalized commission that puts testimony on human rights and democracy into the public record.

Goals and Duties

The commission is designed to:

• Serve as a bipartisan forum for discussing international human rights and democracy issues.
• Monitor global human rights and raise awareness of violations through roundtables, hearings, and briefings.
• Work with the executive branch, congressional entities, think tanks, and non-governmental organizations.
• Maintain records of its activities.

Key Limitations

To ensure it does not overstep, the commission:

• Cannot take legislative action on any resolution or bill.
• Does not have legislative jurisdiction.
• Cannot encroach on the jurisdiction of any special, select, or standing Senate committee.

Structure and Oversight

• Membership: It consists of 10 Senators (5 from the majority party and 5 from the minority party) appointed by the President of the Senate. The Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Foreign Relations serve as nonvoting, ex officio members.
• Leadership: Two co-chairpersons are appointed by the majority and minority leaders.
• Funding and Staff: The commission is authorized to hire staff and pay for expenses using the Contingent Fund of the Senate.
• Expiration: This section will end on January 1, 2029.