§6444 Report to Congress

Summary

The President must send a report to Congress within 90 days after deciding to act over serious religious freedom violations or after naming a country a “country of particular concern.” The report must say which of the specified actions in the law (or similar steps) will be used, describe the violations and the reason for the actions, and note any multilateral talks that were started or sought. The report must also include an evaluation done with input from the State Department, the Ambassador at Large, the Commission, the Special Adviser, the parties the law names, and others the President chooses. That evaluation must cover effects on the foreign government, the country’s people, the U.S. economy and other affected parties, and on U.S. goals for democracy, human rights, and security, and must list policy tools being used (for example programs for democratic stability, economic growth, and counterterrorism). The President can keep all or part of that evaluation from the public but must give the full version to Congress. The report must say that non‑economic options have been reasonably tried, including required consultations. If needed, the President may delay the report one time for up to 90 more days after notifying Congress.