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- As Delivered -

WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following remarks at the full Committee markup in support of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act (S.284):

“Mr. Chairman, again, thank you for convening this markup.  I also want to thank you for bringing forward our last bill, the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.  This is the product of many years of hard work by Representatives Smith and McGovern here in the House, and by Senators Cardin and McCain in the Senate.

“This bill would authorize the President to sanction foreign individuals who commit gross violations of human rights, as well as government officials involved in significant acts of corruption.  It would allow the chairs and ranking members of relevant congressional committees to send names of potential violators to the Administration, and requires a determination of whether those people meet the criteria for sanctions.

“This measure builds on the 2012 Magnitsky Act, which created a similar process for people inside Russia.  This legislation would send a powerful message that human-rights abusers and corruption aren’t just internal matters.  They are the concern of all countries, and they should not be permitted to go on with impunity.

“So, I urge support for this important legislation.  Thank you again, Mr. Chairman.  Thank all our Members.  I yield back.”

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