§6445 Description of Presidential actions

Summary

Lets the President use 15 possible tools against a foreign government, agency, instrumentality, or official that the President finds responsible under sections 6441 or 6442 for severe violations of religious freedom. Examples include private or public protests and condemnations (including in international forums), canceling or delaying scientific or cultural exchanges and visits, cutting or suspending U.S. development or security aid, telling Ex-Im Bank, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, or the Trade and Development Agency not to approve certain loans, guarantees, insurance, or credits, blocking export licenses under the Export Administration Act, the Arms Export Control Act, the Atomic Energy Act, or similar laws, directing U.S. representatives at international financial institutions to vote against loans that mainly benefit the offending party, stopping U.S. banks from lending more than $10,000,000 to them in any 12-month period, and banning U.S. government contracts with them. The President may choose another legal action instead of one of the 15 if it has about the same effect and supports U.S. policy. The President must try all reasonable steps to stop the violations and must report any substitute action and the reason to the relevant congressional committees. The President can also negotiate a binding agreement that requires the foreign government to stop or phase out the violating acts, and getting such an agreement is a primary goal. None of these actions can block or limit medicine, medical supplies, food, or other humanitarian aid.