§6445 Description of Presidential Actions

Summary

Allows the President to punish a foreign government, agency, instrumentality, or official the President finds responsible for violations of religious freedom under sections 6441 or 6442. The law lists 15 possible steps the President can use, including private or public protests and condemnations, blocking or delaying scientific, cultural, or official visits, cutting or limiting development or security aid, stopping export licenses under U.S. export laws, directing U.S. finance or credit agencies not to approve guarantees or loans, telling U.S. financial institutions not to lend more than $10,000,000 in any 12-month period, opposing loans at international financial institutions, and refusing U.S. government contracts or purchases from those entities. The President may choose other legal actions that have a similar effect and that further U.S. policy in section 6401(b), but must report such substitutions and explain them to the appropriate congressional committees. The President can also make a binding agreement that requires the foreign government to stop or phase out the violations, and getting such an agreement is a main goal for serious cases. None of these steps can be used to stop or limit medicine, medical equipment or supplies, food, or other humanitarian aid.