119-sres121

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 121 Introduced in Senate

    (IS) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
S. RES. 121

 Establishing the Senate Human Rights Commission.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 March 10, 2025

 Mr. Tillis (for himself and Mr. Coons) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Rules and 
 Administration

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

 Establishing the Senate Human Rights Commission.

Whereas the Senate Human Rights Caucus, which was founded in 2014, and is 
 currently co-chaired by Senator Tillis and Senator Coons, has created an 
 outlet and opportunity to establish a formalized forum for human rights 
 discussion and engagement in the Senate;
Whereas the Senate Human Rights Caucus has brought together critical thinkers 
 and first-hand experts on issues affecting human rights throughout the 
 world to better inform the actions of Congress;
Whereas, by establishing a commission in the Senate to put testimony regarding 
 human rights in the record, all of the Federal Government and the public 
 can access this information and insight; and
Whereas the Senate Human Rights Commission would continue the work of the Senate 
 Human Rights Caucus and elevate the need to sustain and support the 
 fundamental access to human rights across the world: Now, therefore, be 
 it
 Resolved,

SECTION 1. SENATE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION.

    (a) Commission Establishment.--

    (1) In general.--There is established in the Senate the 
 Senate Human Rights Commission (in this section referred to as 
 the ``Commission'').

    (2) Duties.--The Commission shall--
        (A) serve as a forum for bipartisan discussion of 
 international human rights issues and promotion of 
 internationally recognized human rights as enshrined in 
 the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human 
 Rights;
        (B) monitor the state of human rights across the 
 world and raise awareness on critical human rights 
 violations through conducting regular briefings, 
 hearings, and private roundtables;
            (C) maintain records of all meetings and 
 activities; and
            (D) collaborate with congressional committees and 
 other congressional entities (including the Tom Lantos 
 Human Rights Commission), the executive branch, human 
 rights organizations, civil society organizations, 
 nongovernmental organizations, and think tanks to 
 promote human rights initiatives within the Senate.

    (3) Limitations.--The Commission shall not--
        (A) have legislative jurisdiction;
        (B) have authority to take legislative action on 
 any bill or resolution; or
            (C) encroach upon the jurisdiction of any standing, 
 select, or special committee of the Senate.

    (4) Membership.--
        (A) In general.--The Commission shall be composed 
 of 10 members of the Senate, who shall be appointed, 
 and may be removed, by the President of the Senate.
        (B) Selection.--The President of the Senate shall--
            (i) after consultation with the majority 
 leader, select 5 members from the majority 
 party of the Senate, 1 of whom shall be 
 designated as a co-chairperson in accordance 
 with paragraph

    (5)
        (A)
            (i) ; and
            (ii) after consultation with the minority 
 leader, select 5 members from the minority 
 party of the Senate, 1 of whom shall be 
 designated as a co-chairperson in accordance 
 with paragraph

    (5)
        (A)
            (ii) .
            (C) Term.--The term of a member shall end on the 
 last day of the Congress during which the member is 
 appointed by the President of the Senate, unless the 
 member ceases being a member of the Senate, leaves the 
 Commission, or is removed.
            (D) Vacancy.--
            (i) In general.--A vacancy on the 
 Commission shall be filled in the same manner 
 in which the original appointment was made.
            (ii) Resignation.--A member of the 
 Commission wishing to resign from the 
 Commission shall submit a written notification 
 to the President of the Senate.

    (5) Co-chairpersons of the commission.--
        (A) In general.--Two members of the Commission 
 shall be appointed to serve as co-chairpersons of the 
 Commission, as follows:
            (i) One co-chairperson shall be appointed, 
 and may be removed, by the majority leader of 
 the Senate.
            (ii) One co-chairperson shall be appointed, 
 and may be removed, by the minority leader of 
 the Senate.
        (B) Term.--The term of a member as a co-chairperson 
 of the Commission shall end on the last day of the 
 Congress during which the member is appointed as a co-
 chairperson, unless the member ceases being a member of 
 the Senate, leaves the Commission, resigns from the 
 position of co-chairperson, or is removed.
            (C) Publication.--Appointments under this paragraph 
 shall be printed in the Congressional Record.
            (D) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the position of co-
 chairperson of the Commission shall be filled in the 
 same manner in which the original appointment was made.

    (b) Commission Staff.--

    (1) Compensation and expenses.--
        (A) In general.--The Commission is authorized, from 
 funds made available under subsection
            (c) , to--
            (i) employ such staff in the manner and at 
 a rate not to exceed that allowed for employees 
 of a committee of the Senate under 

section 105

    (e)

    (3) of the Legislative Branch 
 Appropriation Act, 1968 (2 U.S.C. 4575

    (e)

    (3) ); 
 and
            (ii) incur such expenses as may be 
 necessary or appropriate to carry out its 
 duties and functions.
        (B) Expenses.--
            (i) In general.--Payments made under this 
 subsection for receptions, meals, and food-
 related expenses shall be authorized only for 
 actual expenses incurred by the Commission in 
 the course of conducting its official duties 
 and functions.
            (ii) Treatment of payments.--Amounts 
 received as reimbursement for expenses 
 described in clause
            (i) shall not be reported 
 as income, and the expenses so reimbursed shall 
 not be allowed as a deduction under the 
 Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

    (2) Designation of professional staff.--
        (A) In general.--Each co-chairperson of the 
 Commission may designate 1 professional staff member.
        (B) Compensation of senate employees.--In the case 
 of the compensation of any professional staff member 
 designated under subparagraph
        (A) who is an employee of 
 a Member of the Senate or of a committee of the Senate 
 and who has been designated to perform services for the 
 Commission, the professional staff member shall 
 continue to be paid by the Member or committee, as the 
 case may be, but the account from which the 
 professional staff member is paid shall be reimbursed 
 for the services of the professional staff member 
 (including agency contributions when appropriate) out 
 of funds made available under subsection
            (c) .
            (C) Duties.--Each professional staff member 
 designated under subparagraph
        (A) shall--
            (i) serve all members of the Commission; 
 and
            (ii) carry out such other functions as the 
 co-chairperson designating the professional 
 staff member may specify.
            (c) Payment of Expenses.--

    (1) In general.--The expenses of the Commission shall be 
 paid from the Contingent Fund of the Senate, out of the account 
 of Miscellaneous Items, upon vouchers approved jointly by the 
 co-chairpersons (except that vouchers shall not be required for 
 the disbursement of salaries of employees who are paid at an 
 annual rate of pay).

    (2) Amounts available.--For any fiscal year, not more than 
 $200,000 shall be expended for employees and expenses.
            (d) Sunset.--This section shall cease to have force or effect on 
January 1, 2029.
 <all>